Infographic: Stages of Biofilm Formation

Free-swimming bacteria settle on a surface to cooperate and form a protective biofilm.

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Bacterial communities form when free swimming bacteria reversibly attach to a surface. At high cell densities, many species trigger processes involved in biofilm formation, including the production of extracellular matrix. The matrix adheres the community to the surface and provides protection from predators and antibiotics. As the biofilm matures, bacteria specialize to perform different tasks within the biofilm. For instance, a subset of cells sprouts flagella and swims off from the community to colonize new surfaces.

The Biofilm Life Cycle
modified from © istock.com, Olha Pohrebniak


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Meet the Author

  • Headshot of Holly Barker

    Holly Barker, PhD

    Holly Barker is a freelance journalist based in London who primarily covers stories related to psychology, neuroscience, and the natural world.

Published In

June 2023 cover
Summer 2023

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