1. INITIAL ATTACHMENT

Single free-floating microbe lands on surface.

2. IRREVERSIBLE ATTACHMENT

Microbial cells gather and attach.

3. MATURATION I

Microbial colony grows and divides for biofilm formation.

4. MATURATION II

Biofilm formation.

5. DISPERSION

Microbes from sections of biofilm disperse and release free-floating microbes for further colonization.