quorum sensing
Quorum sensing is a communication process used by bacteria to coordinate their behavior based on population density. When the concentration of signaling molecules, called autoinducers, reaches a certain threshold, bacteria can detect these signals and alter their gene expression. This allows them to work together, for example, to form biofilms or launch a collective attack on a host.
This phenomenon is not limited to one type of bacteria; it occurs in various species, including Vibrio fischeri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Quorum sensing plays a crucial role in processes such as bioluminescence, virulence, and antibiotic resistance, highlighting its importance in microbial ecology.