69.2k views
4 votes
What type of slime is created when a bacterial colony and water are present?

A. Mucoid slime
B. Biofilm
C. Viscous slime
D. Gelatinous slime

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Option (B), The slime created when a bacterial colony and water are present is called a biofilm, a microbial community in a protective matrix primarily made of polysaccharides.

Step-by-step explanation:

Type of Slime Created by a Bacterial Colony and Water

When a bacterial colony and water are present, the type of slime created is known as a biofilm. This slimy layer that forms is a highly structured community that provides a selective advantage to its constituent microorganisms. A biofilm is a microbial community held together in a gummy-textured matrix, consisting primarily of polysaccharides secreted by the organisms, and they can form on a variety of surfaces in a liquid environment.

For instance, the slimy layer on a pond surface or the rocks made slippery by microbial presence are common examples of biofilms in nature. Moreover, biofilms have clinical importance as they can form on medical devices and within the body, showing resistance to cleaning and sterilization as well as immune defenses and antibiotic treatments.

Biofilms are not to be confused with slime molds, which are fungus-like protists that also produce a slime-like material but differ significantly in their biology and behavior. Thus, the correct answer to the question is B. Biofilm.

User Steve Harrington
by
8.5k points