Answer to Question #127714 in Ecology for Kylie

Question

discuss biofilms, microbial mats and microbial loops.

Answer 1

Discuss Biofilms, Microbial Mats, and Microbial Loops.

Biofilms 

          Biofilms are a group of microorganisms living as a community. Biofilms occupy occupying various surfaces. They have an intricate communal structure that aids in guarding them and growth. With time biofilm form a 'thick skin' to protect themselves.

       Biofilms are formed when bacteria attach themselves to a wet surface and reproduce. They connect through the secretion of a sticky substance. The microorganism attaches themselves to all manner of surfaces provided the conditions are conducive. A biofilm can contain one species of microorganisms or a collection of several types of microorganisms. A biofilm can consist of bacteria, fungi, algae, yeast protozoa, among other microorganisms.

       Biofilms have far-reaching financial consequences through infection, contamination, and destruction of items such as pipes. Biofilms can also be beneficial in the protection of soil and water.

Microbial mats

 

      The microbial mat can be said to be multitier microorganisms, which has a high tendency of growing into spaces mostly into the moist submerged environment. However, microbial mats have a reputation for being resilient ecosystems with the ability to survive in extreme habitats and withstand physicochemical changes. This explains why the exist almost everywhere in the world.

     Microbial mat comprises millions of different microorganisms. These microorganisms function in a self-sustaining system that facilitates the flow of energy, nutrients, and signals in a grid of exopolysaccharides,

            

Microbial mats play an essential role in modifying the atmosphere and producing oxygen (Prieto-Barajas, Valencia-Cantero, & Santoyo, 2018). Their survival in diverse environments is also subject to scientific research. 

Microbial loop     

             Microbial loop refers to the trophic pathways of the microbial food web. This begins with Dissolved Organic Matter(DOM) and carbon moving up across the trophic levels to be incorporated into microorganisms' biomass. (Microbial Loop, n.d.) A microbial loop is found in both water and land ecosystems.

             A microbial loop is important because it facilitates nutrients cycling and the production of biomass. Microbial loop helps to regulate the aquatic ecosystem.

 

 

References

Biofilms and their role in pathogenesis | British Society for Immunology. (2014). Retrieved from  

               Immunology.org website: https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/pathogens-and-disease/biofilms-and-their-role-in

A Brief Introduction to Biofilms. (2010). Retrieved from Montana.edu website: https://www.cs.montana.edu/webworks/projects/stevesbook/contents/chapters/chapter001/section002/green/page001.html

Prieto-Barajas, C. M., Valencia-Cantero, E., & Santoyo, G. (2018). Microbial mat ecosystems: Structure types, functional diversity, and biotechnological application. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, 31, 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2017.11.001

Jonkers, H. M., Ludwig, R., De Wit, R., Pringault, O., Muyzer, G., Niemann, H., … De Beer, D. (2003). Structural and functional analysis of a microbial mat ecosystem from a unique permanent hypersaline inland lake: ‘La Salada de Chiprana’ (NE Spain). FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 44(2), 175–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-6496(02)00464-6

Microbial Loop. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/fw456/lecture/pdf/microbial_loop.pdf

 

Microbial loop - microbewiki. (n.d.). Retrieved August 7, 2020, from microbewiki.kenyon.edu website: https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Microbial_loop