At a low density of bacteria, the signaling molecules (autoinducers) diffuse away from the bacteria. Sufficient quantities of these molecules are unavailable for binding to the signaling receptors on the bacterial surface (Gram-positive bacteria) or in the cytoplasm (Gram-negative bacteria), and the quorum sensing genes that enable the bacteria to act as a population are not activated. The bacterium then utilizes genes that enable the bacterium to act as an indiviual organism rather than as a multicellular population. Acting as individual organisms may better enable that low density of bacteria to gain a better foothold in their new environment.