Biofilm

Question 1

What is a biofilm

Answer 1

• Organized multicellular community of bacteria, attached to a living or inert surface, surrounded by a self produced extracellualr, polymer matrix
• Most bacteria in nature exist in biofilms

Question 2

Biofilm Formation

Answer 2

Attachement, Colonization, Growth

Question 3

Attachment

Answer 3

Surface conditioning is very important

• Adsorption of organic molecules onto a clean surface forms a conditioning film to which bacteria adhere.
• • salivary proteins

Question 4

Adhesion Molecules

Answer 4

bacterial cell surface proteins involved in the attachment to surfaces of host or other bacteria.
-at this point adsorption is irreversible.

Question 5

Secondary colonizers

Answer 5

Bind to primary colonizers (adhesion molecules)

-some require waste/ other biproducts of primary colonizers

Question 6

Biofilm cycle

Answer 6

Attachment, colonization, growth, maturation, dispersal

Question 7

Advantages of biofilm to microbes

Answer 7

Resistant to antimicrobials/ host defenses/ mechanical removal/ nutritional advantages

Question 8

Advantages of biofilm to host

Answer 8

beneficial species block harmful species

ie S. gordonii and S. sanguinis can prevent binding of S. Mutans