In one multispecies plaque model, repeated episodes of low pH enrich acidogenic, acid-tolerant bacteria without introduction of new species. In

Question

In one multispecies plaque model, repeated episodes of low pH enrich acidogenic, acid-tolerant bacteria without introduction of new species. In another model, inflammation increases gingival crevicular fluid and enriches proteolytic obligate anaerobes that were already detectable at low abundance in health. Which statement best unifies these findings according to the ecological plaque hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Local environmental changes select disease-associated members of the resident microbiota, disrupting microbial homeostasis

Answer

Oral disease requires acquisition of exogenous organisms that are absent from healthy sites

Answer

Each oral disease is caused by one necessary and sufficient pathogen, irrespective of the local environment

Answer

Oral disease develops without a meaningful change in the composition or activity of the plaque community

Answer

Oral disease reflects total plaque accumulation because all plaque organisms have equivalent pathogenic potential

Ecological Plaque Hypothesis — MFDS Part 1 MCQ