If a researcher introduces a molecule that mimics a bacterial autoinducer into a population of bacteria at sub-inhibitory concentrations, which consequence follows?

💡 Explanation

Premature biofilm formation and gene expression occurs because the autoinducer mimic activates quorum sensing pathways at a lower cell density, triggering the coordinated behaviors earlier than normal. Therefore, biofilm formation happens sooner, rather than being delayed or suppressed by other mechanisms.

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