Laimennusvaihe

Laimennusvaihe refers to a phase in certain biological or chemical processes where a substance or population is diluted. This term is most commonly encountered in microbiology, particularly in the context of microbial enumeration. When counting bacteria or other microorganisms in a sample, a direct count might be impossible due to the sheer number of cells present. Therefore, the sample is subjected to a series of dilutions, typically using a sterile diluent like saline or broth. Each dilution step reduces the concentration of the original substance by a known factor, often a tenfold or hundredfold. This process allows for the isolation of a countable number of microorganisms on a growth medium, such as in plate counting methods. By knowing the dilution factor and the number of colonies that grow, the original concentration of microorganisms in the sample can be accurately estimated. The laimennusvaihe is crucial for obtaining reliable and interpretable results in many quantitative microbiological analyses. Outside of microbiology, the concept can also apply to the dilution of chemical solutions or the reduction of concentration in other scientific contexts. The key principle remains the reduction of concentration through the addition of a solvent or diluent.