Question

What do you mean by “Quasi steady state”?

(a) Cell concentration remains virtually constant

(b) Cell concentration is virtually variable

(c) Total biomass remains constant with time

(d) Total biomass decreases with time

I have been asked this question in class test.

My doubt stems from Fed Batch Culture in portion Microbial Growth Kinetics of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) Cell concentration remains virtually constant

Explanation: The total biomass in the culture (X) increases with time, cell concentration (x) remains virtually constant, that is dx/dt ≅ 0 and therefore μ ≅ D. This situation is termed as a quasi steady state.