Attachment

Definition

The first stage of the biofilm lifecycle, in which a drifting cell makes contact with a surface and begins to adhere.

Initial attachment is weak, reversible, and easily disrupted by flow, so most cells that contact a surface are swept away. Cells that find a low-flow zone, a surface irregularity, or a deposit that breaks the boundary layer can remain and increase EPS production. Once attachment becomes more permanent, the cell transitions to the sessile state and protection begins to form.

Related concepts

Conditioning film · Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) · Boundary layer

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🦠 biology