Reducing the Double Monod Model to Absurditity
Suppose that we have a medium that has several potentially growth-limiting factors such
as P, S, N, C, Mg, etc. They may be needed as PO4, NH4, and the like. If each
were at 80 % of the concentration that would give the maximum growth rate, extension of
the Double Monod model would predict that the specific growth rate coefficient would
be 0.8 multiplied by itself as many times as there were limiting nutirients. This gives
a ridiculous result. This table shows how small a number gets when you continue
to multiply it by itself. The numbers across the top are for the number of potentially
growth-limiting nutrients. The first column is the fraction of
the maximum specific growth rate coefficient for
one nutrient. Enter your choice for a fraction less than
one:
Same idea set up a little differently.
Go "with the flow"or to
Main Menu
18-March-1997