BACTERIAL ADHESION Meaning and
Definition
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Bacterial adhesion refers to the process by which bacteria attach themselves to surfaces or other cells. It is the initial step in the establishment of a bacterial infection or biofilm formation. Bacterial adhesion is a crucial event for the colonization and survival of bacteria in host tissues or on various surfaces, such as medical devices, implants, or environmental surfaces.
During bacterial adhesion, bacteria utilize specific molecules on their cell surface called adhesins or surface proteins to bind to host cell receptors or extracellular matrix components. These adhesins can vary among bacterial species, and they often exhibit remarkable specificity for certain host tissues or surfaces.
The attachment of bacteria to host cells or surfaces is a multi-step process that involves several interactions, including reversible or weak attachment, followed by irreversible or stronger attachment. The initial reversible attachment allows bacteria to explore the surface and determine the most optimal site for colonization. Once bacteria find a suitable site, they establish irreversible attachment, which is essential for subsequent biofilm formation and persistent infection.
Bacterial adhesion plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of many bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and infections associated with medical devices. Understanding the mechanisms and factors involved in bacterial adhesion is of great importance in developing strategies to prevent or control bacterial infections. Various anti-adhesive compounds, such as antibodies, peptides, or synthetic molecules, have been studied as potential therapeutic agents to interfere with bacterial adhesion and prevent biofilm formation.
Common Misspellings for BACTERIAL ADHESION
- vacterial adhesion
- nacterial adhesion
- hacterial adhesion
- gacterial adhesion
- bzcterial adhesion
- bscterial adhesion
- bwcterial adhesion
- bqcterial adhesion
- baxterial adhesion
- bavterial adhesion
- bafterial adhesion
- badterial adhesion
- bacrerial adhesion
- bacferial adhesion
- bacgerial adhesion
- bacyerial adhesion
- bac6erial adhesion
- bac5erial adhesion
- bactwrial adhesion
- bactsrial adhesion
Etymology of BACTERIAL ADHESION
The word "bacterial" is derived from the noun "bacteria", which dates back to the late 19th century and comes from the New Latin bacterium, meaning "staff" or "little rod". It originated from the Greek baktērion, referring to a small rod-shaped object.
The term "adhesion" is derived from the Latin verb "adhērēre", meaning "to stick" or "to cling". It was first used in the English language in the 17th century to describe the action of two surfaces sticking together.
When these two terms are combined, "bacterial adhesion" refers to the process by which bacteria attach themselves to surfaces, often facilitated by specific proteins or structures on the bacterial surface.
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