Microbes in Natural Environments-Their Surface Characteristics and Interaction with Interfaces-

Bacteria in natural environments are mostly in an attached state . The surface characteristics of bacterial cells greatly affect cell attachment and hence bacterial ecology . Under normal conditions, bacterial cell surfaces are negatively charged. It was revealed that slower growing strains are less negatively charged and more hydrophobic at their cell surfaces . Bacterial cells carry various polymers on their surfaces. The polymer layers on bacterial cells reduce surface electric potential , resulting in a low energy barrier between bacterial cells and substratum surface of both negatively charged . Some experimental results for cell attachment force are shown as well as the effect of interfaces on bacterial activities.