Multiple Choice
Which process enables bacteria within a biofilm to coordinate gene expression in response to cell density?
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7. Prokaryotic Cell Structures & Functions
Introduction to Biofilms
1:57 minutesProblem 8
Textbook Question
Which of the following is not a characteristic of biofilms?
a. Antibiotic resistance
b. Hydrogel
c. Iron deficiency
d. Quorum sensing
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand what a biofilm is. A biofilm is a structured community of microbial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix and adherent to an inert or living surface.
Step 2: Review the characteristics of biofilms. Common features include antibiotic resistance due to the protective matrix, the presence of a hydrogel-like extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), and quorum sensing, which is cell-to-cell communication that regulates gene expression in response to population density.
Step 3: Analyze each option in the context of biofilm characteristics: (a) Antibiotic resistance is typical because biofilms protect bacteria from antibiotics; (b) Hydrogel refers to the EPS matrix that holds the biofilm together; (c) Iron deficiency is not a characteristic of biofilms themselves but rather a condition that might affect bacterial growth; (d) Quorum sensing is a key mechanism in biofilm formation and maintenance.
Step 4: Identify the option that does not fit as a characteristic of biofilms. Since iron deficiency is not inherently a feature of biofilms but rather an environmental or physiological condition, it is the correct choice.
Step 5: Conclude that the answer is the option that does not describe a biofilm characteristic, which is iron deficiency.
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Video duration:
1mKey Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Biofilm Structure and Composition
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to surfaces, embedded in a self-produced matrix called a hydrogel. This matrix protects the cells and helps maintain the biofilm’s structural integrity.
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Antibiotic Resistance in Biofilms
Microorganisms within biofilms exhibit increased resistance to antibiotics compared to free-floating cells. This resistance arises from limited drug penetration, altered microenvironment, and protective mechanisms within the biofilm.
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Quorum Sensing in Biofilms
Quorum sensing is a cell-to-cell communication process that bacteria use to coordinate gene expression based on population density. It regulates biofilm formation, maintenance, and dispersal by controlling collective behaviors.
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