Lab 9 Report: Biofilms Names(s):

A. Critical thinking:

1. Name some bacteria associated with biofilm infections in the human body.

Some bacteria associated with biofilm infections in the human body are: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia are pathogens associated with cystic fibrosis in the lungs. Also Escherichia coli in urinary tract infections and the spread of Proteus species in the kidney. biofilms may also cause osteomyelitis, a disease in which the bones and bone marrow become infected. A friend of mine got toxic shock syndrome in which Microbes colonize vaginal tissue and tampon fibers to form biofilms. CDC estimated that 65% of all reported human infections are resulted from biofilms

2. What are the most important requirements for biofilm formation?

Biofilms require sufficient moisture. This way they will form on solid surfaces submerged in or exposed to moisture as well as at liquid- air interferences.

3. Name some diseases associated with biofilm infections.

CDC estimates that up to 65% of infections seen are biofilm infections. Cystic Fibrosis which is : Periodontitis and endocarditis are all caused by biofilm associated microorganisms. A mentioned in class many medical devives or instruments harbor biofils which also result in human diseases.

Plaque, which is the coating of microorganism and organic matter on the surface of the teeth.

4. Describe how biofilm formation occurs.

The first step consists of a few cells attaching usually using their fimbriae to a surface, then more cells attach to the existing cells, until an affregated mass is created. The mass of cells then releases an extracellular matrix made of polysaccharide that encases the entire community.

5. Give some reasons why a bacterial cell in a biofilm community would kill itself.

Bacterial biofilm are social communities. For the survival of the community as a whole some cells will kill themselves. The act of killing itself will benefit the population. They do this because they are damaged and they dont want to burden the whole community. Their lysed bodies also provide nutrients for the community

6. If a cell in a biofilm community kills itself, does its DNA become entirely destroyed? Explain why or why not.

If a cell in a biofilm community kills itself, its lysed body provides nutrients to the community.

7. Describe what a biofilm is.

It is a highly structured community of microorganism adhering to an environmental surface and living cooperatively, encased within an extracellular polysaccharide matrix that they have synthesized.

8. Give the benefits for why bacterial cell would aggregate to form a biofilm.

9. If you observed differences in the various biofilms produced in the lab, what do you think accounts for these differences?

B. Multiple choice:

1. Which of the following terms specifically denotes microorganism behaving

cooperatively which each other?

c. multicellularity

2. Which generally refers to mammalian cell layers? c. tissue culture

3. Which is an essential requirement for the formation of a biofilm? b. moisture

4. Which material comprises the matrix that encases a biofilm?

d. polysaccharide

5. Which bacterial structure assists in the formation of a biofilm?

a. Fimbriae

D. Laboratory Report: 1. Observations of dental plaque in situ: Includes at least 1 digital image 2. Observations of bacterial biofilms in vitro: Includes at least 1 digital image