AbstractThe bottleneck model proposed by Powell1can describe the growth rate hysteresis effect, but fails to account for the stationary state of microbial cultures. It is modified to obtain an extended bottleneck model (EBM), which adequately represents the stationary state of microbial cultures. The basis for modification is the metabolic turnover of proteins in microorganisms. Under special conditions the EBM can be reduced to the Powell bottleneck model or the Monod model. The EBM yields improved predictions of the transient growth ofE. coliin nitrogen limited cultures.