The distribution of cell generation times.

Abstract

ABSTRACTTwo different distributions of generation times, log‐normal and reciprocal normal, were compared by fitting them to experimental generation time distributions for bacteria, yeast, protozoa, and mammalian cells. In every case, the reciprocal normal distribution gave better agreement, whether the original frequency distributions or their cumulatives were compared. the log‐normal distribution failed to give significant agreement for three of the original distributions. It is concluded that the reciprocal normal distribution of generation times, or more precisely, the truncated normal distribution of generation rates, is consistent with the published data for steady state populations of all kinds of cells that divide by regular binary fission. A model is suggested for this distribution of generation times, associating it with control of transport of materials into the cell, and with linear cell growth.