Question

in which growth phase would most organisms be killed by a metabolic inhibitor?

Answer 1

Metabolic rates are at their peak during the exponential growth, with the most organisms, utilizing the most nutrients at the highest rate possible provided by the media. Thus, the most organisms to be killed, in ratio to the total number of individual organisms present would be the exponential phase.

Answer 2

I agree... exponential phase because the bacteria are reproducing the quickest and need the most energy during that phase, and so their metabolisms are running at a higher rate, basically.