Question

How can a strict aerobe and a strict anaerobe be found in the same biofilm?

Answer 1

In response to antibiotic treatment microorganisms forms biofilms which are cluster of variety of organism including strict aerobes and anaerobes. These organism forms a thin layer of covering around their colonies known as slime in response to any stress or antibiotic treatment. These biofilms makes penetration of antibiotics lower, most of the bacteria growing under these biofilms reduce their metabolic activity due to low availability of nutrients and depleting levels of oxygen and most organisms go into their dormant stage or resting stage with no metabolic activity. With less metabolic activity the aerobes microbes survive low oxygen levels while it may favor growth of anaerobic bacteria.