Bacterial growth is an orderly progression of metabolic processes followed by cell division. Bacterial metabolism produces necessary materials from environmental nutrients and is 100 to 1000 times faster than human cell metabolism. The bacterium must regulate these biochemical processes so that cell components are synthesized in the right proportions. Binary fission, or cell division, then occurs and two independent living bacteria are formed from one bacterium. Many bacteria can complete this process in 20 minutes.
This animation gives a brief overview of cell growth and division. It introduces flagella, transport proteins, and genetic information, and shows the process of binary fission.
Instructors may find this useful as an introduction to basic cell structure, cell division and bacterial growth.
Voice over on animation:
"Membranes allow food in and waste out. They have all the necessary materials and machinery needed to grow and reproduce.
Proteins embedded in the cell membrane initiate duplication, following the code provided by the DNA strands inside.
The cell then divides into two complete bacteria."
Legend written by:
Kristen Catlin
American Society for Microbiology
Washington D.C. 20036
kcatlin@asmusa.org | 
