Question

A new enzyme that helps protect a bacterial cell from reactive oxygen species has been discovered. during which phase of growth would you expect the gene that codes for this enzyme to be expressed? lag phase log phase late log phase stationary phase

Answer 1

The answer is stationary phase. Bacteria use Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to self-destruct during stress. An example of a stressful environment is that during stiff competition that occurs during the stationary phase of bacteria growth due to limited resources as the population reaches carrying capacity. Lethal stressors produced by the bacteria during this time cause a cascade of reactions that produce ROS that cause damage to the bacteria.