Figure 1.

Microorganism metabolic states and their contribution to ecosystem functioning. Viable microorganisms exist in one of three general metabolic states that are all subject to mortality. Definitions of terms: Growing—cells are actively dividing, Active—cells are measurably metabolizing (catabolic and/or anabolic processes) but are not necessarily dividing, Dormant—cells are not measurably dividing or metabolizing, Deceased—cells are not metabolically active or capable of becoming metabolically active in the future, but intact macromolecules may persist.