Final answer:
Quorum sensing is a mechanism used by bacteria to regulate gene transcription based on population density. It involves the production and detection of signaling molecules called autoinducers, which bind to specific receptors and activate changes in gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quorum sensing is a mechanism used by bacteria to regulate gene transcription based on population density. It involves the production and detection of signaling molecules called autoinducers. Once a threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, they bind to specific receptors, triggering a cascade of signaling events that ultimately lead to changes in gene expression. This allows bacteria to coordinate behaviors and responses to environmental stimuli.