The document describes the bacterial growth curve, which tracks the growth of bacteria over time when cultured in an appropriate growth medium. It consists of four phases: 1) Lag phase, where bacteria adapt to their environment but do not multiply; 2) Log phase, where bacteria multiply rapidly through cell division; 3) Stationary phase, where growth rate equals death rate due to limited resources or toxic buildup; and 4) Decline phase, where the bacterial population decreases due to various stressors until few bacteria remain as long-term survivors. The length of each phase depends on factors like bacterial species, medium composition, inoculum size, and environmental conditions.