Chapter 21, Problem 4Q

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The cell structures which help bacteria attach to a solid surface.

Introduction:

For bacteria there are many advantages of attaching to a solid surface. Often they attach to a host so that they can derive nutrients from it. Some bacteria also show better growth attached to a surface because the nutrients present in the surrounding settle down and concentrate on the solid surface. In this way bacteria are able to access more nutrients which lead to their enhanced growth. Some of them also directly capture important ions for growth from the solid surface like metal cofactors.