Microbiology Lab Chapter 7 Review
A. what is a biofilm?
Biofilm is a complex microbial aggregate consisting of microbes encased in an extracellular matrix (EPS=extracellular polymeric substance or slime).
how are biofilms formed?
Biofilms typically form on moist surfaces, Biofilm forms most readily on surfaces where there is a constant flow of liquid containing nutrients such as the surface of the mouth.
Describe beneficial and harmful biofilms.
One benefit of biofilm would be the microbes in root biofilm (endomycorrhizae & ectomycorrhizae) helps plants harvest nutrients and moisture from the soil. One harmful effect of biofilm is that it can clog pipes by forming large assemblages sometimes referred to as "slime cities".
why are biofilms of pathogenic bacteria within a human difficult to treat?
Pathogenic bacteria within a human are difficult to treat because the microbes in the biofilms are resistant to antibiotics.
What is quorum sensing?
The ability of bacteria to communicate and coordinate behavior via signaling molecules.
why do artificial surfaces with a human (ex: heart valves, catheters, artificial joints) increase the patients risk for biofilm formation?
The artificial surfaces increase the risk of biofilm formation there are no defense mechanisms on artificial surfaces allowing the bacteria to stick and form a biofilm.
How is tooth plaque related to biofilms?
Tooth plaque is related to biofilm because it is a form of biofilm that develops on teeth and cause tooth decay and gum disease.
what are Cyanobacteria?
cyanobacteria are names for there blue green characteristic, resemble the eukaryotic algae and occupy the same enviromental niches. carries out oxygenic photosynthesis and may cyanobacteria are capable of nitrogen fixing. range from unicellular forms that divide via simple binary fission to colonial forms that divide by multiple fission to filamentous forms that reproduce by fragmentation of the filaments.
