Question

Which statement about biofilms is INCORRECT? a. Only bacteria have the ability to form biofilms. b. Biofilms are commonly found in nature. c. Microbes in biofilms are frequently resistant to drugs. d. Biofilms are matrix-enclosed populations of microbes. e. Biofilms are often associated with chronic diseases.

Answer 1

The statement a) 'Only bacteria can form biofilms' is incorrect. Biofilms can also include fungi and are complex structures that contribute to chronic diseases and medical complications due to their resistance to treatments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The incorrect statement about biofilms is that only bacteria can form biofilms. Biofilms are not limited to bacteria; they can also be composed of prokaryotes, fungi, or a mixture of these microorganisms. These highly structured microbial communities are encased in a self-produced matrix, often found in diverse environments ranging from industrial conduits and water treatment systems to natural settings such as rocks in river beds. Biofilms are associated with a variety of chronic diseases and medical complications, such as cystic fibrosis, Legionnaires' disease, ear infections, and nosocomial infections, due to their capacity to adhere to surfaces like dental materials, catheters, and burns, and their significant resistance to antibiotics and drugs.