AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Quorum sensing bacteria produce and release chemical signal molecules called autoinducers that increase in concentration as a function of cell density. The detection of a minimal threshold stimulatory concentration of an autoinducer leads to an alteration in gene expression.

Detailed explanation-2: -Bacteria talk to each other using N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as quorum sensing (QS) signals. This signaling allows the bacteria to control gene expression of virulence factors and biofilms once a critical density has been achieved. This phenomenon, quorum sensing, is important when an infection propagates.

Detailed explanation-3: -In Vibrio fischeri, quorum sensing controls bioluminescence, the ability of the bacteria to produce light, an exciting visual phenomenon for the student lab. The mechanism of quorum sensing involves an autoinducer synthase, LuxI in V. fischeri, which makes the small autoinducer molecule.

Detailed explanation-4: -Bacterial communication relies on versatile chemical signaling molecules called autoinducers, which regulate bacterial gene expression in a process known as quorum sensing. Like languages between humans, these signals vary between species.