Which factor coordinates gene expression for adhesion, EPS production, metabolism, and virulence promoting maturation and stability of the biofilm?

Which factor coordinates gene expression for adhesion, EPS production, metabolism, and virulence promoting maturation and stability of the biofilm?

• A. Neutrophils
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Quorum sensing
• D. Host immune response

Answer: (C)

The topic is how bacteria coordinate their behavior within a community to build a structured biofilm. Quorum sensing is a communication system where cells release signaling molecules and sense their own population density. As the signal builds up, it binds receptors and triggers regulators that turn on or off groups of genes across many cells. This synchronized gene expression drives adhesion factors that help cells attach to surfaces, boosts production of extracellular polymeric substances to form the protective matrix, shifts metabolism to cope with the nutrient and oxygen gradients inside the biofilm, and increases virulence factor production to support persistence and competition. These coordinated changes enable biofilm maturation and stability. External factors like neutrophils, antibiotics, or host immune responses can influence biofilms but do not orchestrate the communal gene expression in the same way.