The Biofilm Stage

[Don Schaeffer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV_L6nDwPXk&t=4s
The new mudpuddle has reached a stage of massive bacteria growth. Now the bacteria begin receiving chemical signals from their fellows. They conduct a census. When the density of bacteria reaches a certain level, the bacteria join into a gel-like film consisting of their linked unmoving bodies. The protists trapped in the film begin forming cysts to enable them to withstand difficult conditions. Eventually when the biofilm gets very extensive, many of the cysts get absorbed in it and become like one-celled zombies.
By the way--when I say "cell wall" I mean to say "cell membrane." Sorry.