CAIE IGCSE Biology 19.4.7 Explaining Sigmoid Growth Phases
Practise explaining each growth-curve phase using reproduction, death and limiting factors such as food, space and waste.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Biology 0610
Practise explaining each growth-curve phase using reproduction, death and limiting factors such as food, space and waste.
Genetically modified bacteria were grown in a fermenter. The number of bacteria was measured, and the data are shown in Fig. 5.1.

Fig. 5.1
Describe and explain the change in bacterial population size from 24 hours to 50 hours shown in Fig. 5.1.
any three from:
1 death phase OR death rate above birth rate OR (bacterial population) is decreasing ;
2 limited / lack, of (named) resources / nutrients / space ;
3 increased competition (for resources / nutrients / space) ;
4 build-up / high concentration, of (named) waste / toxins ;
5 build-up of pressure / increase in temperature (above optimum) ;
6 appropriate use / description, of data ;