Biofilms

Question 1

Biofilm

Answer 1

• prevailing microbial lifestyle

- Estrapolymer encased communities colonizing a surface

Question 2

examples of biofilms

Answer 2

Dental caries 
periodontitis
otitis media
valve endocarditis 
cystic fibrosis

Question 3

steps in biofilm development

Answer 3

• planktonic bacteria move to the surface and adhere
• bacteria multiply and produce EPS. become irreversibly attached forming a microcolony
• other bacteria attach to the EPS and grow
• cells communicate and create channels in the EPS
• cells can start to detach and move to other surfaces

Question 4

composition of biofilms

Answer 4

• Presence of voids and water channels
• polymicrobial
• varying environments

Question 5

symbiotic benefits of biofilms

Answer 5

-exchange of genetic material
-concentration of nutrients
-coordination of gene expression to defeat host defense or digest food
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Question 6

quorum sensing

Answer 6

specific density that biofilms grow to and the cells release low molecular weight molecules that function as autoinducers that coordinate a response

Question 7

3 different systems of quorum sensing

Answer 7

Gram-positive intra species

Gram negative intra species

Inter species

Question 8

acetyl homoserine lactones

Answer 8

AHL, communication molecule for gram negative intra species

Question 9

auto inducer 2

Answer 9

autoinducer for inter species communication among gram negative and positive species

Question 10

auto-inducing oligopeptide

Answer 10

for communication among gram positive intra species