TABLE 2.

Key features of the three categories of knowledge integration in a biofilm context

Knowledge integration category	Key features
Fragmented	• Incorporates the fewest connections, mostly between phenotypes
	• Some include a connection between cell-cell communication and a bacterial phenotype, but none of them involve the gene regulation subsystem
	• Least specified and least correct
Transitional	• Incorporates more connections that include the cell-cell communication and gene regulation subsystems
	• The content and nature of information are more specified and correct
	• Missing some important characteristics, such as connections between cell-cell communication and gene regulation
Connected	• Highest number of connections that are more specified and correct
	• All three bacterial phenotypes are explained using the subsystems of cell-cell communication and/or gene regulation
	• The correctness and nature of the content are the most correct