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Bacteria Phase
Bacteria grows in size and length in order to duplicate its cells. The single-celled organism will divide into two different daughter cells using a process called binary fission. The daughter cells will be genetically identical to the original bacteria after the process has completed. According to Cells Alive, if the bacteria's environment is optimal, "the two daughter cells may divide into four in 20 minutes." The bacteria undergoes four different phases during binary fission.
Lag Phase
Lag phase is the first phase of bacteria fission. During this phase, the bacteria cell prepares itself for the fission process. It adapts to its surroundings in order to create the conditions needed for growth. The bacteria continues to grow, as it is not ready to split yet. RNA, enzymes and other molecules in the bacteria begin to synthesize while the bacteria grows.
Log Phase
During the log phase, the bacteria begins to duplicate itself over and over again. The number of new bacteria that are created is proportional to the amount of bacteria already created. For example, if there are two bacteria, the log phase will result in four bacteria. Those four will duplicate into eight bacteria, and so on. The duplication will stop once the environment can no longer sustain the growth of more bacteria.
Stationary and Death Phase
During the stationary phase, there is no more nutrients for bacteria to reproduce with. The bacteria will have exhausted nearly all of its nutrients. The group of bacteria cells will remain dormant until they begin to perish. During the death phase, the bacteria will run out of all nutrients and die. The deaths will have exceeded cell birth at this point. The phase continues until there are no more bacteria cells left.