Final answer:
Bacteria can remain attached to surfaces due to self-defense, favorable niche, and symbiosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacteria can remain attached to surfaces due to several reasons, including self-defense, favorable niche, and symbiosis.
- Self-defense: Bacteria can resist attacks from the immune system, grazing, and antibiotics, which allows them to survive and remain attached to surfaces.
- Favorable niche: Being attached to a surface provides bacteria with better access to nutrients, increasing their chances of survival.
- Symbiosis: Bacteria in close interactions within a biofilm can cross-feed, which provides them with mutual benefits and helps them remain attached to surfaces.