Quorum Sensing

Question 1

What is quorum sensing?

Answer 1

It’s a signalling pathway controlled by the density of cells

Each cell synthesises the autoinducer but it only reaches a threshold concentration when the density is high enough

Question 2

How does quorum sensing differ from other mechanisms for sensing environmental stimuli?

Answer 2

The stimulus provided by a molecule which is produced by the cells themselves, rather than by a product of the environment

Question 3

What are the classes of autoinducers (Gram negative)?

Answer 3

AHLs and AI2