During stationary phase, which statement is true regarding resuming growth when transferred to fresh nutrients?

• A. Rapid growth resumes after transferring to fresh nutrients
• B. Growth slows to a halt permanently
• C. Cells become dormant and never resume growth
• D. Rapid growth resumes only after a long delay

Answer: (A)

When nutrients are scarce in stationary phase, cells slow or stop dividing and conserve energy. Once fresh nutrients are provided, cells reactivate metabolism and go through a brief lag period as they adjust, synthesize necessary enzymes, and rebuild ribosomes. After this adaptation, they resume rapid, exponential growth. This is why the statement about growth resuming after transferring to fresh nutrients is the best choice: growth does return once conditions improve, rather than being permanently halted or remaining dormant. The length of the initial lag can vary, but the key point is that the transition leads to renewed rapid growth.