BIOS 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Facultative Anaerobic Organism, Dental Caries, Biofilm
Document Summary
They protect bacteria from detergents and viruses. Viruses attach to bacteria but the capsule doesn"t allow it in. Capsules are neutral sugars - no ionic charges. Antibiotics are positively charged which bind to negatively charged bacteria. The antibiotic must get through the capsule to get to the bacteria. Biofilms are an extension of capsules of a bunch of microorganisms that made them. About 70% of human infections are caused by biofilms. A biofilm is a community of microorganisms that make capsules themselves out of polysaccharides so they"re sticky and can stick to stuff. Biofilms can grow in catheters or on needles by attaching and can cause continuous infections. Microbes come into mouths by food, drinks, and air. Hundreds of different types of bacteria are in your mouth and on your teeth. Some bacteria attach directly to the teeth but most attach to other bacteria already present on the enamel.
