What stage of the growth cycle, Beta-Lactam antibiotics kill susceptible bacterial species

- Log Phase/Logarithmic Phase/Maximum Exponential Phase

To differentiate Gram Positive and Gram Negative bacteria, we routinely use Gram Stain
 
In Gram Stain, the bacteria must be first inoculated in the sterile glass slide, then the slide
will be passed through flame to increase the affinity of the bacteria to the slide.
 
After that, we apply Crystal Violet as the primary stain, rinse with water, then apply Gram's
Iodine. Gram's Iodine function as a mordant which increases the affinity of the Crystal
Violet to the bacteria's Peptidoglycan Cell Wall.
 
After the application of the Gram's Iodine, rinse with water, then we apply 95%
ethanol which function as a decolorizer. This is the most critical step in Gram stain. Since
Gram Positive have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall, Crystal violet will not be
removed/decolorized so that is the reason why Gram Positive stains violet. In contrast, the
Crystal Violet from the Gram negative bacterial cell wall will be decolorized due to the thin
peptidoglycan layer.
 
After this step, we apply Saffranin (which is color Red). Gram Positive will remain its color
which is violet. In Gram negative, since it was been decolorized, it will take the color of the
Safranin which is red.
 
There are 4 stages of the Growth Cycle 

1. Lag Phase - bacteria adapts to a new environment, the bacteria are maturing but
NOT yet dividing
2. Log Phase Logarithmic Phase/Maximum Exponential Phase - there is sudden
increase in bacteria (increase in both number and cell division), it is the period where
the bacteria is susceptible to most antibiotics thus the best time to kill the bacteria
3. Stationary Phase/Plateau Phase - nutrients are depleted causing an equal growth
and death rate, best time to grow bacteria due to increase in enzymatic activity
4. Death Phase/Decline Phase - bacteria die and reduce in number due to lack of
nutrients.
Please see attached annotated diagram below for you to be able to easily grasp the
similarities and difference between Gram-negative and Gram-positive cells.

Figure 1 similarities and difference between Gram-negative and Gram-positive cells