Swarming

Researchers agree that swarming is a process that involves the coordination of diverse movements of bacteria across solid and semi solid surfaces. Through swarming, there is a combination of cell migration, which in chemical terms is referred to as chemotaxis. The movement is through the presence of inflammatory mediators. The paracrine actions are essential in the swarming process as they are secreted to help in the swarming process. Swarming in biological concepts is regarded as a mechanism of handling antibiotic tolerance. There are multicellular activities of the bacteria that are taking place in swarming, and it follows a standard method for an indication of the outcomes. In swarming, there is a differentiation of the planktonic bacterial cells. The distinction ensures that the bacterial cells change towards becoming elongated cells with high levels of bacteria and multiple flagella.

The differentiation process causes the establishment of swarm cells. After the differentiation process, the swarm cells will have to stay close to each other to facilitate the moving process. When they are migrating on surfaces, the swarm cells move together as single units. The movement of the swarm cells is analogues (Kearnes). An interesting biological concept to indicate from the swarm cells is the fact that they are tolerant of any antibiotic that they come in contact with during the movement process. The swarm cells can be subcultured in different liquid media. The process will make the swarm cells differentiate and move from being elongated cells to becoming planktonic bacteria. Planktonic bacteria will not have the capability to tolerate antibiotics. Different swarm cells have a tolerance to anti-bacteria, which include E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, S. Typhimurium and Serratia marcescens (Hershey and Partridge).

During swimming and swarming, bacteria are propelled by Flagella. The flagella ensures that the bacteria cells are dispersed widely in the surface. Swimming bacteria often use the chemotaxis process. Swarming bacteria, on the other side, suppress the chemotaxis and depend on different dynamics of their motion processes. In the suppressing process, there is a continuous expansion of the cells as they occupy larger territories. The flagella and cell envelope facilitate expansion and movement to other edges (Kearns 641). Swarming bacteria carry along different fungal as well as bacterial cargo that is instrumental in helping the cells to venture into new areas and also dominating these territories (Harshey and Jonathan 3686). The focus of the article is helpful in the field of biology and bacterial movement.

Bacteria and sensing the surface

Swarming is different from swimming in that Bacteria has to prepare for the swarming process. When the bacteria swimmers are taken to the surface, there are lags that are seen in their motions. The changes required is that the bacteria cells have to reach higher cell densities and also acquire productive energy mechanisms that will aid in propelling the bacteria towards the swarming process. These energies assist in morbidity and make the cells adapt to the surface for movement (Hagai et al 1150). Bacteria, therefore, while on the surface, will have to undertake specific mutations supporting flagella formation that will aid in the swarming process. Bacteria have surface sensing mechanisms that facilitate the development of flagella (Harshey and Jonathan 3689). The sensing mechanisms are what triggers the bacteria to prepare for the swarming process through undergoing necessary transformation processes. The two sensors that help bacteria to detect that they are on the surface include the flagella and bacterial cell envelope. The challenge, however, is that despite numerous research and observations done on bacteria, there is still limited understanding of how the bacteria and surface contact undergoes induction for transformation to take place. Regardless, the flagella are used as a sensor in surface contact. Surface contact slows down the activities of the flagellum because, on the surface, there is an increased viscous dragging. Consequently, the cell envelope is used as a sensor, detecting whether the bacteria is on water or on surface.

Importance of swarming in Bacteria

Swarming in bacteria is essential as it helps bacteria undertake different activities and processes. Swarming allows bacteria to grow simultaneously and enables the bacteria to spread over various surfaces. As the bacteria are spreading over the various surfaces, they can enjoy the nutrients provided from the surfaces. Bacteria depend on nutrients for growth, and swarming allows bacteria to access different potential nutrients and sufficient needed materials that support their movement and extensions (Harshey & Jonathan 3687). The swarming process directs the new bacteria cells towards different edges of the colony to enjoy the nutrients. Another advantage of swarming is that it helps in the reduction of competition that takes place between cells. The rivalry between the bacterial cells is usually to access nutrients.

The study of swarming is an exciting concept, but there are certain assumptions that are unknown when studying these processes. In general, the swarming process is associated with different methods of pathogenesis. It also helps in an in-depth understanding of multicellular behavior of bacteria when they are on solid or liquid substances. Different assumptions or mechanisms in swarming are unknown such as how bacteria sense that they are on solid surfaces and elongation of the cells in bacteria (Harshey & Jonathan 3688) Therefore, there is an opportunity to discover new genes and information regarding swarming in bacteria. Research studies should implement new mechanisms in biochemical processes to connect the developments in swarm investigation and the older pieces of information regarding swarming. It will aid in a better understanding of cell physiology.

Work Cited

1. Harshey, Rasika, and Patridge, Jonathan. Swarming in a shelter. Department of Molecular Biosciences. University of Texas at Austin. 2015. Pp 3685-3691
2. Hagai, Efrat, et al. ‘Surface-motility induction, attraction and hitchhiking between bacterial species promote dispersal on solid surfaces.’ The ISME journal 8.5 (2014): 1147-1151.
3. Kearns, Daniel B. ‘A field guide to bacterial swarming motility.’ Nature Reviews Microbiology 8.9 (2010): 634-644. Accessed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3135019/