User:PrpOnWiki/Quorum sensing

What it is?
Quorum sensing is a process that allows bacteria to communicate with other cell to determine gene cell density. It allows bacteria to coordinate their movements and activity as opposed to acting independently. This process is important for a variety of reasons like making toxins and other pathogens that are harmful to the host. Quorum sensing is similar to a network that connects humans, the signals being sent from cell to cell allow bacteria to communicate with one another. This is important because bacteria require a certain population threshold to perform specific tasks. If the bacteria can not coordinate the numbers and positions they cannot perform their duties. Bacteria rely on communicating with each other in order to achieve their goal.

How does it work?
Bacteria send out chemical signaling molecules called autoinducers. The number of these molecules increases when the number of bacteria increases. Once the number of autoinducers reaches a particular threshold it triggers a gene expression in the bacteria. The specific signal may vary depending on the species of bacteria, but the ultimate goal is to communicate with other cells and determine gene cell density. Unlike humans and other animals, these signals can sometimes be sent across species. These genes all have different behaviors, ranging from forming biofilms to producing virulence factors, and even producing spores.