High concentrations of some bacteria are necessary for successful invasion because their virulence genes are only expressed at high population densities.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as quorum sensing, where bacterial cells communicate with each other through chemical signals and coordinate their behavior only when their population density reaches a certain threshold. This allows them to synchronize the activation of virulence genes and launch a coordinated attack on host cells, leading to successful invasion and infection.

High Concentrations of Some Bacteria Are Necessary for Successful Invasion