Certain bacteria can attach to a surface and differentiate to form a complex, multicellular structure called a biofilm.
Bacteria attach to surfaces by proteinaceous appendages referred to as fimbriae.
Formation of biofilm 1. Initial development 2. The slime consists primarily of polysaccarides and water. The amount of biopolymer produced can exceed the mass of the bacterial cell by a factor of 100 or more. The biofilm structure provides a favourable protective environment for the survival of the cells of the organism.