Figure 3. X_L value (Eq. 4 and 6) as a function of the length of the blocking phase (t₁).

Two thresholds are assumed below which cells either do not divide or cannot survive. The two thresholds can be the same without affecting the qualitative conclusion. When X_L drops below the threshold, cells are assumed to be unable to divide, or survive. The interval between the two red arrows indicates possible t₁ values that permit resting cells to survive but prevent non-resting cells to divide. The green arrow indicates a smaller interval for t₁ which would not permit dividing cells to survive (see text). In the inset, the comparison is between fast and slowly dividing cells. It is assumed that slowly dividing cells have a lower threshold for X(t) for cell survival since they are stressed much less often.