Final answer:
The importance of extracellular polymeric substances lies in their role in forming protective biofilms that enhance the survival and virulence of microorganisms and make clinical treatment more challenging by providing resistance to antibiotics and immune defenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes the importance of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) is: They are components of a biofilm secreted by the microbes present. EPS constitutes the extracellular matrix of a biofilm and is composed mainly of polysaccharides, proteins, extracellular DNA, and lipids. This matrix protects the microbes within it, facilitating attachment to surfaces, inhibiting phagocytosis, and providing resistance to antibiotics. Biofilms make the treatment of infections challenging due to their robust structure and the varied resistance mechanisms they afford to resident microorganisms.
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play a crucial role in the survival and resilience of biofilms, which can be found attached to surfaces and are often composed of prokaryotes, though some may also include fungi or a mix of fungi and bacteria. Biofilms have been shown to hold water, protect cells from predation, and hinder the effectiveness of antibiotics and disinfectants, which presents difficulties in clinical settings.
Moreover, biofilms not only provide structural and defensive benefits to the microorganisms but can also enhance virulence and facilitate chronic infections by allowing persistent pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa to adhere to host cells and evade immune responses and treatments. As such, understanding the function and composition of biofilms and EPS is crucial for developing strategies to combat infections where these structures are involved.