Final answer:
The generation time in a bacterium refers to the length of time it takes for a population of cells to double.
Step-by-step explanation:
The generation time in a bacterium refers to the length of time it takes for a population of cells to double.
It is the time it takes for a bacterium to go through one round of binary fission and for the population to double in size.
For example, Escherichia coli can double in as little as 20 minutes under optimal growth conditions, while other bacteria may need several days to double in harsh environments.