Oral Microbiome and Biofilms (1) Flashcards
What systemic diseasae can oral microbes cause?
travel in the blood, to areas where they do not normally exist.
endocarditis (plaque on the heart valves)
Where can microbes exist (niches) in the oral cavity?
gingiva
tongue
teeth
pockets around the teeth
What is an aerobic microbe?
growth in O2 / air
What is an obligate aerobes?
required O2 for growth
What are obligate anaerobes?
killed by oxygen
Where would obligate anaerobes inhabit in the oral cavity?
subgingival (periodontal disease)
What are facultative anaerobes?
Tolerate O2 and can switch
flexible and can adapt to environments
What are capnophilic anaerobes?
prefer for 5-1-% CO2
What is the pH of saliva?
pH 6.8
What are the functions of saliva?
anti-bacterial
buffering
digestion
mineralization
lubrication and viscoelasticity
tissue coating
anti-fungal
anti-viral
What are the ‘textbook’ stages in the bacterial growth curve?
- lag phase
- exponential growth
- stationary phase
- decline phase
not the case
Why is real life more bacterial grwoth more complex?
bacteria adhere to a surface, more complex biology
What is a pioneering bacteria?
first to attach to the surface
Define a biofilm?
name given to microbial communities attached to a surface ‘complex aggregation of bacteria’
What are the benefits of bacterial biofilms?
division of labour/ common goods
structure
microenvironments
protection (antimicrobial/ saliva)
extend habitat range
