Biofilms Flashcards
Describe the lifecycle of a parasite
Enters attaches to host > consolidation/multiplication in host > causes harm > release from host > dissemination and transmission > parasite
What is a biofilm
Matrix enclosed bacterial (or fungal) populations adherent to each other and/or to surfaces or interfaces
What are the defining characteristics of biofilms
1) Defence
2) community
3) favourable habitat
4) default mode
Give some examples of what biofilms can impact
Teeth, drinking water, food processing ect
What is a planktonic cell
One organism in saliva alone
What is a micro colony
Find enamel and starts to attach
What is a mature biofilm
If teeth aren’t brushed the organism will build up on the enamel and they will create a mature biofilm
Describe biofilm development
Adhesion > colonisation > accumulation > complex community > dispersal
What are the benefits of a biofilm
- protective environment
- co-ordinated cellular events
- division of labour
- EPS traps nutrients
- less energy utilised
- survival in numbers
Describe biofilm development
Microorganism > surface > conditioning film
Describe the glycocalyx ECM
- the glycocalyx is composed of exopolymeric substrate
- maintains a hydrated enviroment
- microcolonies within are organised allowing active diffusion
- helps maintain a tissue like intergrity
- provides protective barrier (immune factors and antibiotics)
What is dental plaque
A diverse microbial community found on the tooth surface embedded in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin
What are some oral biofilm diseases
- caries
- endodontic infections
- periodontal infections
- oral malodour
- mucosal infections
Describe the process of plaque development
1) colonisation by pioneer bacteria
2) outgrowth
3) secondary colonisation
4) climax colonisation
Describe caries progression
1) adhesion
2) survival and growth
3) biofilm formation
4) complex plaque
5) acid
6) caries
Describe the risks of a high protein diet
Few acidogenic organisms > ammonia produced
More gram negatives
Secondary metabolites
What are the risks of a high carbohydrate diet
Metabolism reduces pH
Aciduric organisms thrive
Streptococci and lactobacilli
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What is dental plaque
Diverse microbial community (predominantly bacteria) found on the tooth’s surface, embedded in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin
How many bacterial species are found in the mouth
At least 700 species
Where is bacteria found in the oral cavity
Predominantly found on hard tissues
What is the conditioning film in plaque made up of
Absorption of salivary proteins and glycoproteins together with some bacterial molecules on the tooth’s surface forms a conditioning film (the acquired pellicle)
