Chemostat
Chemostat
Chemostat (kee-mo-stat, from the Greek chemia meaning "chemistry" and statos meaning "standing") is a device used in microbiology and biochemistry for the continuous culture of microorganisms. It allows for the control of both the growth rate and population density of the microorganisms.
Function
A chemostat operates by continually adding a nutrient medium to the culture vessel and simultaneously removing an equal volume of the culture. This ensures that the culture remains in a steady state, with nutrient supply and removal rates balanced. The growth rate of the microorganisms can be controlled by adjusting the rate of nutrient addition.
Components
A typical chemostat consists of a culture vessel, a nutrient medium reservoir, a pump to add the medium to the culture, and a waste reservoir to collect the spent medium and cells. The culture vessel is often stirred to ensure uniform distribution of nutrients and cells.
Applications
Chemostats are used in various fields of research, including microbial ecology, evolutionary biology, and industrial microbiology. They allow for the study of microbial growth dynamics, competition and cooperation among different species, and the effects of environmental changes on microbial communities.
Related Terms
- Dilution rate: The rate at which fresh medium is added to the culture vessel in a chemostat.
- Washout: The removal of cells from the culture vessel due to the continuous operation of the chemostat.
- Monod equation: A mathematical model of microbial growth in a chemostat.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chemostat
- Wikipedia's article - Chemostat
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