NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Autoinducers accumulate in the environment as bacterial population density increases. Bacteria monitor changes in the concentration of autoinducers to track changes in their cell numbers and to collectively alter global patterns of gene expression.

Detailed explanation-2: -Bacterial cells detect the buildup of secreted autoinducers and respond with programmed changes in gene expression. Bacterial activities regulated by quorum sensing include biofilm development, virulence factor regulation, bioluminescence induction, antibiotic production, sporulation, and competence initiation.

Detailed explanation-3: -At high cell density (when autoinducer concentrations are high), cells turn on light production by upregulating the production of luciferase enzymes.

Detailed explanation-4: -The concentration of autoinducer in a given environment is proportional to the number of bacteria present; therefore, detecting autoinducers gives bacteria a mechanism for ‘’count-ing” one another.

Detailed explanation-5: -Autoinducers allow bacteria to communicate both within and between different species. This communication alters gene expression and allows bacteria to mount coordinated responses to their environments, in a manner that is comparable to behavior and signaling in higher organisms.