In developing plaque, the adhesive polymer produced by Streptococcus mutans is synthesized from?

The adhesive polymer produced by Streptococcus mutans, which plays a significant role in the formation of dental plaque, is synthesized from sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. When Streptococcus mutans metabolizes sucrose, it produces a sticky extracellular polysaccharide known as glucan, which helps the bacteria adhere to teeth and fosters the accumulation of plaque.

This ability to effectively utilize sucrose for creating adhesive polymers is crucial in the development of dental caries, as it allows for the establishment of a biofilm that can trap food particles and further promote bacterial growth. The specific metabolic pathways that involve sucrose are not only important for bacterial survival but also for the progression of dental diseases.

Other sugars like glucose, fructose, and lactose do not provide the same level of adhesion properties in the context of plaque formation as sucrose does, making sucrose the primary substrate for this synthesis in Streptococcus mutans.