generation time The time that is required for a cell to complete one full growth cycle. If every cell in the population is capable of forming two daughter cells, has the same average generation time, and is not lost through lysis (see LYTIC RESPONSE), the doubling time of the cell number in a population will equal the generation time.

generation time The time that is required for a cell to complete one full growth cycle. If every cell in the population is capable of forming two daughter cells, has the same average generation time, and is not lost through lysis (see lytic response), the doubling time of the cell number in a population will equal the generation time.

generation time The time required for a cell to complete one full growth cycle. If every cell in the population is capable of forming two daughter cells, has the same average generation time, and is not lost through lysis, the doubling time of the cell number in a population will equal the generation time.

generation time The interval between the beginnings of consecutive cell divisions. It may be as short as 20 minutes in bacteria. See also interphase.