A one-parameter structured kinetic model was applied to a description of continuous stirred tank bioreactor (CSTBR) dynamics. A qualitative comparative analysis of the dynamic responses of the CSTBR to changes of carbonaceous substrate concentration and mean residence time of the liquid phase was conducted. Step change, linear and sinusoidal functions were used as external forcing both for structured and unstructured (Monod and Haldane) kinetics. A method which describes the physiological state of microorganisms was proposed for determining the adaptation time of microorganisms based on the time dependencies of intercellular compound concentrations. The thesis that microorganism adaptation time can be determined based on the numerical properties of CSTBRs mathematical models was put forward. (C) 2015 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.