Biofilms Flashcards
What is a biofilm?
Matrix-enclosed bacterial(or fungal) populations adherent to each other and/or surfaces or interfaces
What are the characteristics of biofilms?
Defence
Favourable habitat
Community
What does planktonic mean?
Free floating cell
What does micro-colony mean?
a small amount of bacteria growing together
What are the benefits of being a biofilm?
Protective environment
Coordinated cellular events
Division of labour
EPS traps nutrients (extra polymeric substrates)
Less energy utilised
Survival in numbers
What is the ECM made of?
Glycocalyx matrix, composed of exopolymeric substrate
Maintains hydrated environment
Provides protective barrier
What is dental plaque?
Diverse microbial community found on tooth surface, embedded in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin
What are examples of oral biofilm diseases?
Caries
Root canal
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Thrush
How many approx. different bacterial species are in the mouth?
up to 700
What organisms are essential for creating a good oral biome?
Streptococcus salivarus and mitis
What are the basic steps of plaque development?
Pellicle formation
Colonisation by pioneer bacteria
Outgrowth
Secondary colonisation (biofilm)
Climax community
Mature Plaque
What are the steps of caries progression?
Adhesion
Survival and growth
Biofilm formation
Complex plaque
Acid
Caries
What kind of diet will cause a lot more tissue destruction?
High Protein
