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Flashcards in Biofilms Deck (19)
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1
Q

Are anaerobes or aerobes more present in human body? What is the ratio?

A

anaerobes more present; 1000:1

2
Q

Mouth and GI have appx 10^x number of organisms per gram of tissue?

A

10^9

3
Q

2 main categories of gram + bacteria?

A

Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes

4
Q

Makeup of gut microbiota?

A

48% bacteroidetes, 51% firmicutes, 1% proteobacteria

5
Q

What is colonization resistance?

A

good bacteria “occupy” all the available space (parking lot analogy)

6
Q

How does C. difficile become infectious in the gut if it’s there normally and not harming us?

A

Abx tx wipes out normal gut flora, so C. diff spores can vegetate and cause infection

7
Q

4 main functions of gut microbes?

A

digest food, produce vitamins B and K, occupy niches and exclude pathogens, train our immune systems

8
Q

What is meant by fecal transplants being a “double edged sword?”

A

can replenish the microbiome and have therapeutic effects, but can also transmit drug resistant germs/bad stuff

9
Q

Staphylococcus epidermis is found where?

A

skin

10
Q

S. aureus is found where?

A

nose

11
Q

Lactobacillus is found where?

A

vagina

12
Q

Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are found where?

A

GI

13
Q

E. coli and Clostridium are found where?

A

GI

14
Q

Difference between sessile and planktonic?

A

Sessile bacteria are settled down and living in a biofilm or on a surface; planktonic are free-floating

15
Q

What are exopolysaccharides?

A

sugars secreted beyond the bacterial envelope into the environment; unattached to individual bacteria

16
Q

What are the steps in biofilm formation?

A
  1. reversible attachment (free floater lands)
  2. irreversible attachment
  3. exopolysaccharide production
  4. growth and formation of 3D structures
  5. dispersal
17
Q

Are biofilms permanent?

A

Nope!

18
Q

Are most infections caused by sessile or planktonic bacteria?

A

Sessile - most infections caused by biofilms

19
Q

Benefit of living as a biofilm?

A

Limit penetration of host defenses and abx