Question

Which statement about biofilms would lose points on an exam?

a) Biofilms are composed of a mixture of bacteria and extracellular polymeric substances.
b) Biofilms can be beneficial in wastewater treatment.
c) Biofilms are easily disrupted and destroyed.
d) Biofilms can form on various surfaces in nature.

Answer 1

The incorrect statement about biofilms is that they are easily disrupted and destroyed, as they are actually highly resistant structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about biofilms that would lose points on an exam is "c) Biofilms are easily disrupted and destroyed." This is incorrect because biofilms are notoriously difficult to destroy due to their resistant nature. Biofilms consist of microorganisms embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), forming a strong barrier that is resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants. Interactions among organisms within the biofilm, and the protective EPS environment, provide additional robustness to the microbial community, making them more resilient compared to free-living microbes.