Biofilm Basics

Question	Answer
Biolfilm Definition	A community of organisms bound to a surface- can be single or mixed species- that allows colonisation of modern environments
EPS	Extracellular Polymeric Substances, which bind the bacteria in a biofilm together
Control of Biofilm Formation	Environmentally controlled, i.e the availability of nutrients
Biofilm Formation- Planktonic Cells	The planktonic cells are the first to bind to the surface in biofilm formation
Biofilm Formation- Division	Planktonic cells then divide to form mushroom like structures
Biofilm Formation- Division Control	Controlled by various methods- environment, quorum sensing
Biofilm Formation- Cell Detachment	Cells on the edge of the biofilm can divide and return to the planktonic state
Biofilm Formation- Cell Detachment Control	Can be internal (Chemical signalling) or external (flow rate)
Heterogenous Biofilms- Bacterial Species	I.e S.epidermidus
Heterogenous Biofilms- AnBis as a Cause	Cells on the edge produce DNA and die if AnBis are used, but AnBis cannot penetrate to inner cells
Heterogenous Biofilms- O2 as a Cause	Environment- i.e. Excess O2 on edge, no O2 in the middle (effecting product)
Heterogenous Biofilms- Product as a Cause	Inner cells are surr. by a greater conc of product than outer cells (this can be used by other species in the biofilm)
Heterogenous Biofilms- Other possible Causes (Other)	There can be many- pressure, nutrient availability, flow rate, etc.

Resource summary

	Created by gina_evans0312 about 10 years ago