What are biofilms?
1 Answer
A biofilm comprises of any group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and often to a surface.
Explanation:
A biofilm usually begins to form when a free swimming bacterium attaches to a surface. These adherent cells become embedded within a slimy extracellular matrix that is composed of extracellular polymeric substances. However, they are not just bacterial slime layers, but biological systems, the bacteria organise themselves into a coordinated functional community. As they have a 3D structure and represent a community life style for microorganisms, they are sometimes referred to as "cities for microbes. "
Microbes form biofilms in response to various different factors, which may include cellular recognition, specific or non specific attachment sites on a surface, nutritional cues, exposure of planktonic cells to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics.
They can grow in the most extreme environment, from the extremely hot briny waters of hot springs, ranging from very acidic to very alkaline, to frozen glaciers.
Biofilms may contain many different types of microorganisms, example bacteria, archaea, Protozoa, fungi and algae. Each group performs specialised microbial functions. They are ubiquitous in organic life and are a process of microbial developing process. They may form on living or non-living surfaces and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and hospital settings.
