Cooperative interactions

Definition

Cooperative interactions refer to the mutually beneficial relationships between different prokaryotic species. These interactions often enhance survival, nutrient acquisition, and environmental adaptation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cooperative interactions can include biofilm formation where various prokaryotes adhere to surfaces and each other for protection and resource sharing.
2. Some prokaryotes engage in syntrophy, a cooperative interaction where one species lives off the products of another, improving metabolic efficiency.
3. Quorum sensing is a form of cooperative behavior where bacterial populations communicate via chemical signals to coordinate group activities such as bioluminescence or virulence.
4. Prokaryotic communities in microbiomes often exhibit cooperative interactions to maintain balanced ecosystems, such as in the human gut microbiome aiding digestion and immune function.
5. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and certain plants form symbiotic relationships that benefit both; bacteria get carbohydrates from plants, while plants receive usable nitrogen compounds.

Review Questions

Related terms

Biofilm:

A structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-produced matrix adherent to an inert or living surface.

Syntrophy: A metabolic cooperation between different microbial species where one species lives off the products produced by another.

Quorum Sensing:

A system of stimuli and response correlated to population density used by bacteria for coordinating gene expression according to the density of their local population.