The time between inoculation and the beginning of growth is usually called the phase.
a. early
b. lag
c. stationary
d. death
e. late log

b. lag

Explanation:

The growth curve of a bacterial population is divided into 4 phases:

Latency (lag)

When a bacterial population is inoculated in a fresh environment, growth does not usually begin immediately, but after a time called latency.

The latency phase represents a transition period for microorganisms when they are transferred to a new condition. In this phase the necessary enzymes are produced so that they can grow in a new environment. In this phase there is no increase of cells, but there is great metabolic activity, increase in the individual size of the cells, in the protein content, DNA and dry weight of the cells.

Exponential or logarithmic

It is the period of the growth curve in which the microorganism grows exponentially, that is, every time a certain generation time passes, the population doubles. Under appropriate conditions the growth rate is maximum. Environmental conditions affect the speed of exponential growth.

Stationary phase

In crops in closed containers, a population cannot grow exponentially indefinitely. Growth limitations occur either by depletion of some essential nutrient, by accumulation of toxic products, because a high number of cells is reached for the available space or by combination of the above causes.

Death phase

If the incubation continues after a microbial population reaches the stationary phase, the cells can continue to live and continue to metabolize, but a progressive decrease in the number of viable cells will begin, and when this occurs it is said that the population has entered death phase.