A biofilm is an architectural colony of microorganisms, within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substance that they produce. Biofilm contains microbial
cells adherent to one-another and to a static surface (living or non-living).A
biofilm forms when certain
microorganisms (for example, some types of bacteria) adhere to the surface of some object in a moist environment and begin to reproduce. The
microorganisms form an attachment to the surface of the object by secreting a slimy, glue-like substance.The
biofilm bacteria can share nutrients and are sheltered from harmful factors in the environment, such as desiccation, antibiotics, and a host body's immune system. A
biofilm usually begins to form when a free-swimming bacterium attaches to a surface.Bacterial
biofilms are generally defined as structured clusters of bacterial
cells enclosed in a self-produced polymer matrix that are attached to a surface.Biofilms are a collective of one or more types of
microorganisms that can grow on many different surfaces.
Microorganisms that form
biofilms include bacteria, fungi and protists. One common example of a
biofilm dental plaque, a slimy buildup of bacteria that forms on the surfaces of teeth. Pond scum is another example.
Relevant Topics in General Science