The researchers studied how bacteria “feel” their numbers to regulate the expression of certain genes. This revealed an interesting mechanism.
This is because bacteria use enzymes to help break down food sources into nutrients. When some bacteria consume nutrients without producing enzymes, such “cheaters” can be punished by the rest, even if the entire colony is damaged.
In this way, bacteria get rid of “rogue” species that do not produce public goods but benefit from them.
Source: Ferra
