Free-floating bacteria

Gradients of nutrients and oxygen in biofilms additionally promote high diversity, which may ultimately result in functional differences of the bacterial community in biofilms compared with free-floating bacteria. Additionally, increased species diversity may provide spatial and temporal niches not available within monocultures or may create microenvironments within the biofilm (Gieseke et al., 2001 Whiteley et al., 2001). These thoughts reinforce the need for community-level biofilm studies as opposed to monocultures. 

Flocculins and especially Flo 11 are responsible for morphogenic phenomena such as pseudohyphal growth and biofilm formation in yeast. Biofilm formation is an adhesive phenomenon akin to flocculation. The majority of bacteria exist in highly organized natural biofilm populations rather than in free floating cultures. Within the biofilm, bacteria display coordinated behavior. They form structures, release toxins or emit light. They, sometimes, differentiate to form physiologically defined... 

Similar to the microbial biofilm preparations described above, free-floating, viable microbial mats are also successful in removal of metals from solution (Bender Phillips, 1994 Vatcharapi jarn, Graves Bender, 1994). Consisting primarily of algae, cyanobacteria and bacteria, microbial mats perform a number of activities which promote metal complexation and subsequent removal. The mat contains oxidizing and reducing zones that aid in the immobilization and precipitation of... 

Sediments represent a complex environment consisting of particles which are more or less densely packed and surrounded by interstitial water. In beach sediments which are extremely exposed to wave action and tidal activity more than 95 % of the bacteria are attached to particle surfaces (Meyer-Reil et al., 1978). Deeper sediments carry a much higher percentage of bacteria "free-floating" in the interstitial water (up to 50 % of the total number Weise and Rheinheimer, 1978 Weise and Rheinheimer, 1979). 

Chronic infections in contrast tend to be focal infections, limited in size, that wax and wane for long durations and are only partially destructive to tissues. The strategies of a single-cell, mobile, free-floating bacterium versus those of a community of bacteria encased in a self-secreted protective matrix (biofilm) are radically different and may one type of infections "chronic." Biofilm is intrinsically resistant to host immunity, antibiotics, and biocides, different treatment strategies will be required. Chronic infections such as chronic wounds, surgical-site infections, and infected implants will yield only to repetitive evaluation and multiple simultaneous therapies that require much persistence from the physician. 

The importance of biofilms in this process can not be overestimated. There are very good reasons to believe that bacteria are not free floating in a paint, but most of them are living in biofilms or are adhered to surfaces of the ingredients and the equipment. Biofilms in production equipment like tank surfaces, water pipes, on sealants, on filters are built easily and quickly within hours. They can not be removed by simple means but can cause consecutive and unpredictable introduction of locally high microbial counts and biological material in the paint. See also chapter 5.1. 

In E. coli no pools of free rRNAs or ribosomal proteins are floating around in the cell even when the bacteria are grown at different growth rates. Explain how E. coli coordinates the biosynthesis of the ribosome. 

The soluble form of calcium can be precipitated in the marine environment to form rock by some physical conditions such as warming of the water (carbon dioxide is less soluble in warm water than in cold water and thus calcium carbonate is precipitated), by the use of carbon dioxide by marine plants, or by alterations in the pH of water by ammonia-producing bacteria which also lowers the solubility of calcium carbonate. However, the majority of calcium carbonate deposits are formed from skeletal fragments of organisms living in the marine environment. Some of these organisms inhabit reefs but the majority float free in water. Figure 2.13 shows various shapes of shells formed by Coccolithophorides which can be spherical coccospheres some, such as dicoaster, are star shaped. 

The most difficult part of psilocybin mushroom cultivation is the observance of the rules of pure culture technique. These are the sanitary code of mushroom cultivation. There are usually many varieties of bacteria and fungal spores in our environment floating in the air, clinging to our hands and clothing, issuing from our mouths with every exhalation. Extreme measures must therefore be taken to keep these out of our mycelial cultures, which they would rapidly overrun. The following points should be diligently observed. Work in a clean, uncluttered, dust free room. Immediately before work wash the work table and spray the room with disinfectants. Scrub arms, hands, and nails with disinfectant soap. 

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