Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Fourth Edition)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780393615098
Author: John W. Foster, Joan L. Slonczewski
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Concept explainers
Question
Chapter 18, Problem 4TQ
Summary Introduction
To review:
The different species of microbes grow together in the given layered biofilms that are on the sand flat and surface of human teeth.
Introduction:
A biofilm is an association comprising of various microorganisms that are dependent on each other for their survival and nutrition. The microbes are attached to a polysaccharide matrix. This matrix comprises organic and inorganic substances. The microbial community is bound to the surface of teeth and non-sheddable surface. The biofilm formation is avoided to prevent conditions like dental plaque which further causes oral diseases. It also affects water quality.
Expert Solution & Answer
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionStudents have asked these similar questions
a) Biofilm is:
a.
a complex established community of microorganisms on solid surfaces
b.
is a layer of millions of identical bacteria on solid surfaces
c.
is a layer of compounds released from the tissue as a protection against pathogenic microorganisms
d.
All of these are correct
b)
Capsule formation is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Why? Select all that apply.
a.
They are sticky and attach better
b.
They can escape phagocytosis
c.
The capsule makes them grow/multiply faster
d.
They kill immune cells
Bacterial growth depends on many environmental factors, including the temperature of the environment. Since microbes can survive in a certain range of temperatures and will thrive at a temperature, understanding these variables allows for control of their growth. This understanding can be used, for example, to preserve certain foods or to treat infections. This lab simulation will use an instrument called a spectrophotometer. This instrument quantitatively measures the amount of light that is absorbed or transmitted by molecules in solution
a) In your own words give an introduction to the microbial growth and the effect tempature has.
b) In your own words explain the importance of the spectrophotometer in regards to microbial growth.
c) In your own words give a hypothesis on how bacteria will react to different temperatures.
(a) Distinguish between biofilms and microbial mats and describe their relative
significance.
(b) Describe two methods, one that employs PCR and the other that does not,
used to identify microorganisms by the molecular characteristics of their 16S
FRNA.
3.
(c) How do microorganisms enhance corrosion of metal and concrete surfaces?
Chapter 18 Solutions
Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Fourth Edition)
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- Diseases that involve biofilm-producing bacteria are of serious concern. They are not as easily treated compared with those involving free-floating (or planktonic) bacteria. Explain three reasons why biofilm formers are more pathogenic. Brian goes to the hospital after not feeling well for a week. He has a fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) and complains of nausea and a constant migraine. Distinguish between the signs and symptoms of disease in Brian’s case.arrow_forwarda) bacteria are “obligate anaerobes.” What does this mean? On Earth, where might these organisms live? (Give examples.) b) Humans (and most Eukaryotic organisms) are obligate aerobes. What does this mean? On Earth, where might these organisms live? (Give examples.)arrow_forward1) Listen In the lab you are testing a bacterium's oxygen requirement for growth. You grow your bacterium in a test tube, without shaking at the appropriate temperature. The next day you find that your bacterial culture is growing only at the top surface (ie at the top of the tube closest to the cap) and not dispersed throughout the test tube. What term would be used to describe the oxygen requirement of this bacterium? O A) Obligate aerobe. O B) Microaerophile. O C) Anaerobe. D) Obligate anaerobe. E) Facultative anaerobe.arrow_forward
- Biofilms often consist of multiple species of bacteria.True or false?arrow_forwardWhy is biofilm development in catheters (tubes that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct or vessel which allow drainage or injection of fluids) such a dangerous source of infection in hospitals?arrow_forwardWhich of the following is not true about biofilms a) are caused by many Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as algae and fungi b) are highly contagious c) are hard to treat due to impermeability to drugsarrow_forward
- Microorganisms are needed in wastewater treatment facility to do the actual breakdown and removal of nutrients and organic matter in the waste matter. One day, the employee who is in-charge of the facility notice that as the time goes by after the wastewater was loaded into the medium the metabolic activity of the microbe cease to increase and remain stable instead. Within the context of our discussion, what could be the possible explanation for the employee’s observation?arrow_forwardBiofilms represent an important environmental niche. A) How does growth on a surface differ from growth in a suspended laboratory culture? (In other words: How do biofilm-forming cultures differ from planktonic cultures) B) Describe the stages of biofilm development including cellular and extracellular components? C) What processes regulate might regulate biofilm formation? Is quorum sensing involved and if so, how common is it? D) Why would biofilms promote the formation of genetic variants? What are the mechanisms by which this might occur? These questions are all related.arrow_forwardIn microbiology, the term growth in a culture usually refers to an increase in O 1) the number and size of microbial cells. O 2) the amount of ATP consumed. O 3) a microbe's size. O 4) the number of microbial cells. 5) the amount of ATP produced.arrow_forward
- Drying is an effective antimicrobial strategy because:(a) It oxidizes cellular macromolecules(b) It limits the amount of water available to microbes(c) It increases susceptibility to UV irradiation(d) It triggers the thermal death pointarrow_forwardThere are various environmental factors that can influence microbial growth and reactions. These factors play a role which will determine if a microbe can function in a given environment. What are 2 environmental factors believed to be the most important out of the others ?arrow_forwardMicroorganisms have been described as the most chemically diverse, the most adaptable, and the most ubiquitous organisms on Earth. What other "most" descriptions could be added to this list?arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
Explore Terrestrial Habitats - Types of Habitats for Children; Author: Smile and Learn - English;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv1indKgOHQ;License: Standard youtube license