a) During the phase, the bacteria have exhausted one or more critical requirements for growth. Growth slows as wastes accumulate and/or nutrients are depleted.

b) During the phase of growth, the number of bacteria doubles at regular intervals. During the this phase 'balanced growth' occurs, i.e. a balanced increase in all cellular components.

c) During the phase, the rate at which cells die is greater than the rate at which they divide - hence the number of viable cells decreases.

d) During the phase, the bacteria in the original inoculum adapt to their new environment. The number of cells does not increase during this time.