Could you explain to me this please …. ((They demonstrated that extracellular polysaccharides possess a high number of calcium binding sites through which they can integrate the free calcium into the biofilm. This neutralizes the toxic substance and strengthens the EPS structure of the biofilm.)) What is the binding site and how it’s work and what neutralizes toxins mean????
Question
This is a journal of the study
https://www.unibas.ch/en/News-Events/News/Uni-Research/How-Caries-Causing-Bacteria-Can-Survive-in-Dental-Plaque.html
And this is the original source
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0186256
Please help me :”(
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Bacteriology
6 months
2023-10-23T20:25:56+00:00
2023-10-23T20:25:56+00:00 1 Answer
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Answer ( 1 )
So, when we talk about binding sites in microbiology, we’re referring to specific locations on molecules where other molecules can attach or bind. In the case of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), they have these binding sites that attract calcium ions, which are tiny charged particles.
Now, calcium ions are like magnets to these EPS molecules. They’re attracted to these binding sites, where they can attach. This process is crucial because it helps strengthen the structure of the biofilm, which is a slimy layer made by microorganisms to stick together and form a community.
Now, when we say “neutralize toxins,” it means that harmful substances, called toxins, can be made harmless or less harmful. In this case, when calcium ions bind to the EPS, they basically grab onto these toxins and make them less harmful. It’s like they’re disarming the toxins, making them less dangerous to the microorganisms in the biofilm.
So, to sum up, the binding sites on EPS attract calcium ions, which then attach to them. This helps strengthen the biofilm structure and also makes toxins less harmful by neutralizing them. It’s like adding a protective shield to the biofilm community.