The rate, or speed, at which the number of
organisms in a population increases. This can be calculated by dividing the change in the number of
organisms from one point in time to another by the amount of time in the interval between the points of time. The phrase is most often used to describe growth of cells or
microorganisms in laboratory
cultures.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.