Biology / Unit 4 Bio 0823 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Biofilms
Captions available
The idea
A biofilm is a complex, often multi-species bacterial colony that uses quorum sensing to coordinate shared behavior, such as releasing toxins together against a host.
In practice
A biofilm forming inside a medical catheter can cause a life-threatening infection that resists treatments effective against free-floating bacteria.
Where people slip
A biofilm's coordinated behavior comes from chemical signaling between its member cells, not from any central control structure.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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