Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (12th Edition) (What's New in Microbiology)
Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (12th Edition) (What's New in Microbiology)
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780134605203
Author: Ted R. Johnson, Christine L. Case
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 21, Problem 2Q
Summary Introduction

To analyze:

If natural biofilm is a pure culture.

Introduction:

A biofilm is a 3D consortium in which many microorganisms live together. They work together to provide nutrition, eradicate waste and utilize resources. They also secrete Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) which protects the biofilm from outside environment and makes sharing of nutrients easier. A biofilm can be formed by bacteria, protista, fungi and algae.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Naturally it is difficult to find a biofilm containing a pure culture. A biofilm grows by attracting more microorganisms and making them a part of it. Even if the biofilm was started by a single species, in the growth phase it will attract the microbes from surrounding environment. These microbes may or may not be of same species. Hence, slowly many types of microbes will become a part of biofilm. For example, eukaryotic biofilms are usually initiated by eukaryotes but they slowly include bacteria too. A biofilm containing a pure culture is very rare. For example, biofilm in stomach containing Helicobacter pylori is a pure culture biofilm.

Conclusion

Thus, in nature biofilm usually consists of a mix of species. Some biofilms like the one formed by Helicobacter pylori in stomach is a pure culture but it is less frequent than mixed culture biofilms.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What are biofertilizers and mention the significance
PCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen.     How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans?   Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.
Other than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
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
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Essentials Health Info Management Principles/Prac...
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9780357191651
Author:Bowie
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...
Nursing
ISBN:9781305964792
Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy Correa
Publisher:Cengage Learning
cell culture and growth media for Microbiology; Author: Scientist Cindy;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjnQ3peWRek;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY