During which stage of bacterial growth do bacteria reproduce rapidly?

The correct choice is the log stage, which is the period when bacteria reproduce at their maximum rate, also known as the exponential growth phase. During this stage, the conditions are ideal for growth, such as the availability of nutrients and suitable environmental factors. Bacteria are actively dividing by binary fission, leading to a significant increase in their population size within a relatively short time. This rapid reproduction is a key characteristic of the log stage and is vital for understanding bacterial behavior in various contexts, such as infection dynamics, antibiotic treatment, and biotechnological applications.

In contrast, the lag stage is characterized by minimal growth, where bacteria adapt to their new environment and prepare for reproduction. The stationary stage occurs when growth rate slows down, often due to depletion of nutrients and accumulation of waste products, leading to a balance between reproduction and death. Lastly, the death stage represents the phase where the number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells being produced, resulting in a decline in the bacterial population.