Protects the bacteria from the phagocytosis It protects the bacteria from phagocytosis.Phagocytes can easily engulf the bacterium, so it needs to release many pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines.When the bacterial cell attaches to the surface, it triggers the expression of the biofilm-specific gene.There is an increase in slime production due to the expression of genes that produces the cell surface polysaccharide.