Question

Explain the concept of biofilm formation.

Answer 1

A biofilm is formed of a community of microorganisms that are attached to a surface and play important role in the persistence of infection of bacterial cells.

Biofilm can be composed of a single species or by many species of bacteria fungi and algae. Mostly biofilms are formed by only one bacteria. Biofilm formation consists of three steps.

• Attachment

• Maturation &

• Dispersion

ATTACHMENT: Biofilm formation takes place when bacteria land on a surface of various materials such as woods, metals, and plastics , stagnant water and living tissues. They excrete a sugary molecule that holds the cells together and attaches them to the surface. Which is called extracellular polymeric substance, or EPS. It has a strand-like structure which creates a matrix thereby helps it to bind to the surface of materials and to other cells,  

MATURITION: Layers upon layers of EPS get added Upon it. And a complex three dimensional structure developed with water channels inside it, that facilitate the exchange of nutrients and waste products. as biofilm grows & develops, it thickens and get matured. the biofilm will develop until small portions detach and float away to colonize other surface, If they get sufficient nutrients & water.

DISPERSION: Due to unfavorable conditions for the biofilm , cells released from the biofilm from a mature biofilm to the planktonic form. This is the final step in biofilm development, This step cv onsists the dispersion biofilm to spread and colonize on a new surface.