๐Ÿ”ฌgeneral biology i review

key term - Autoinducers

Definition

Autoinducers are small signaling molecules produced and released by bacteria to communicate with each other. They play a crucial role in quorum sensing, allowing bacterial populations to coordinate collective behaviors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Autoinducers accumulate in the environment as bacterial population density increases.
  2. They bind to specific receptors on bacterial cells, triggering changes in gene expression.
  3. Different species of bacteria produce distinct types of autoinducers.
  4. The concentration of autoinducers must reach a threshold level to activate quorum sensing mechanisms.
  5. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a common type of autoinducer involved in interspecies communication among bacteria.

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