The Growth and Form of Bacterial Colonies

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Abstract
A simple method is described for measuring the profile of bacterial colonies. Profiles were determined for colonies of Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus albus [aureus] of different ages. In spite of differences in cell morphology, the colony profiles had a common basic structure consisting of a steeply rising leading edge connected by a ridge to an interior region where height also rose, though less steeply, to a flat or domed center. The colony mass increased exponentially through part of the growth phase. It is suggested that net colony growth consists of a combination of leading edge growth, which is unrestricted and approaches the maximum specific growth rate of the organism, and diffusion-limited growth in the colony interior. Common elements of profiles from each species may be a consequence of such differences in growth rate.

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