Biofilms are a mixture of complex communities of organisms mostly composed of diverse bacteria that vary depending on the surrounding environmental conditions induced by physical and chemical factors. In biofilms, symbionts play major roles in the relationship among organisms by the production of bioactive molecules involved in quorum sensing signaling. A cohesive structure of a multi‐layer of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) such as polysaccharides and proteins is the base of biofilm structural organization. Biofilms can be found in a variety of habitats, on free‐living, on the surface of other organisms or inert surfaces, both in aquatic as well as terrestrial environments.
Part of the book: Algae