Chromosome Replication and Cell Division in Escherichia coli at Various Temperatures of Growth

The effect of temperature on the growth rate and the pattern of chromosome replication during the division cycle of Escherichia coli B/r growing in various media was investigated. The time between divisions, the time for a round of replication (C), and the time between completion of a round and cell division (D) were threefold longer at 21 C than at 37 C. At all temperatures and in all media, D equalled one-half C, suggesting that a common mechanism controls chromosome replication and the progression of the cell toward division after completion of a round of replication.