INFLUENCE OF THE MICROPHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF A SYSTEM ON THE GROWTH OF BACTERIA

Abstract

Multiplication of bacteria grown in three different physical systems: basal liquid medium, medium plus agar in the sol state, and medium plus agar in the gel state, all at 39.94 ± 0.05 °C, revealed that the growth of organisms is strongly influenced by their microphysical environment. Not only was the final number of bacteria affected but their morphology was also changed. It is suggested that these effects may be due in part to a quasi-crystalline structure of the water around agar in the gel state which reduces the fluidity of the water, the distribution of the bacteria, and the mobility of nutrient ions.