Does the term growth convey the same meaning when applied to bacteria and to multicellular organisms? Explain. Why do variations in generation time exist: a. Among different species of microorganisms? b. Within a single microbial species? The generation time and growth rate of an organism grown in the laboratory can be easily determined by constructing a typical growth curve. a. Would you expect the growth rate of the infectious organisms found in an abscess that developed from a wound to mimic the growth curve obtained in the laboratory? Explain. b. Would you expect antibiotic therapy to be effective without any other concurrent treatment of the abscess? Is generation time a useful parameter to indicate the types of media best suited to support the growth of a specific organism? Explain.