Biofilms

Question 1

Describe the lifecycle of a parasite

Answer 1

Enters attaches to host > consolidation/multiplication in host > causes harm > release from host > dissemination and transmission > parasite

Question 2

What is a biofilm

Answer 2

Matrix enclosed bacterial (or fungal) populations adherent to each other and/or to surfaces or interfaces

Question 3

What are the defining characteristics of biofilms

Answer 3

1) Defence
2) community
3) favourable habitat
4) default mode

Question 4

Give some examples of what biofilms can impact

Answer 4

Teeth, drinking water, food processing ect

Question 5

What is a planktonic cell

Answer 5

One organism in saliva alone

Question 6

What is a micro colony

Answer 6

Find enamel and starts to attach

Question 7

What is a mature biofilm

Answer 7

If teeth aren’t brushed the organism will build up on the enamel and they will create a mature biofilm

Question 8

Describe biofilm development

Answer 8

Adhesion > colonisation > accumulation > complex community > dispersal

Question 9

What are the benefits of a biofilm

Answer 9

• protective environment
• co-ordinated cellular events
• division of labour
• EPS traps nutrients
• less energy utilised
• survival in numbers

Question 10

Describe biofilm development

Answer 10

Microorganism > surface > conditioning film

Question 11

Describe the glycocalyx ECM

Answer 11

• 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)

Question 12

What is dental plaque

Answer 12

A diverse microbial community found on the tooth surface embedded in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin

Question 13

What are some oral biofilm diseases

Answer 13

• caries
• endodontic infections
• periodontal infections
• oral malodour
• mucosal infections

Question 14

Describe the process of plaque development

Answer 14

1) colonisation by pioneer bacteria
2) outgrowth
3) secondary colonisation
4) climax colonisation

Question 15

Describe caries progression

Answer 15

1) adhesion
2) survival and growth
3) biofilm formation
4) complex plaque
5) acid
6) caries

Question 16

Describe the risks of a high protein diet

Answer 16

Few acidogenic organisms > ammonia produced
More gram negatives
Secondary metabolites

Question 17

What are the risks of a high carbohydrate diet

Answer 17

Metabolism reduces pH
Aciduric organisms thrive
Streptococci and lactobacilli

Question 18

W

Question 19

What is dental plaque

Answer 19

Diverse microbial community (predominantly bacteria) found on the tooth’s surface, embedded in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin

Question 20

How many bacterial species are found in the mouth

Answer 20

At least 700 species

Question 21

Where is bacteria found in the oral cavity

Answer 21

Predominantly found on hard tissues

Question 22

What is the conditioning film in plaque made up of

Answer 22

Absorption of salivary proteins and glycoproteins together with some bacterial molecules on the tooth’s surface forms a conditioning film (the acquired pellicle)