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The microbial jungles all over the place (and you) - Scott Chimileski and Roberto Kolter

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TEDEd Animation

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As we walk through our daily environments, we’re surrounded by exotic creatures that are too small to see with the naked eye. We usually imagine these microscopic organisms, or microbes, as asocial cells that float around by themselves. But, in reality, microbes gather by the millions to form vast communities. Scott Chimileski and Roberto Kolter describes how and why microbes create biofilms.

At the same time that cooperation occurs in a biofilm, fierce competition arises between different microbial species. Why might one species act to eliminate another species in a biofilm, and how do microbes kill or slow the growth of competing species?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Scott Chimileski, Roberto Kolter
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Director Qa'ed Mai
  • Animator Qa'ed Mai
  • Composer Stephen LaRosa
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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