Microbiome and Human Health

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes related to the microbiome and its interactions with human health.

The human microbiome consists of approximately __ trillion symbiotic microbial cells.

40+

In mutualism, relationships between host and microbe benefit __ organisms.

both

The average germ-free mouse has __ residing in its gut.

zero organisms

Normal microbiota may prevent pathogen colonization through __.

antagonism

Microbiome studies suggest that diet impacts the presence of Bacteroides and __.

Prevotella

Infants delivered via Cesarean section initially harbor microbial communities typically found on human __.

skin

The gastrointestinal tract's largest microbial population is found in the __.

large intestine (colon)

The human microbiome protects against pathogens by producing __ and vitamins.

bacteriocins

Most internal organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are considered __ sites for microbes.

microbe-free

The definition of a microbiome ___

refers to the collection of microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses and other microbes that reside in a specific environment 

Acquisition of the microbiome start ___

at birth, influenced by factors such as mode of delivery and environment.

During vaginal birth, the acquisition of the microbiome __

obtains microbiota primarily from maternal vaginal bacteria such as Lactobacillus

During a C-section, infants receive ___

skin flora such as staphylococcus and may have different microbiota compositions

Dysbiosis ___

is an imbalance in the microbial communities within the body, often linked to health issues.

The type of symbiotic interactions are ___

mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Mutualism is ___

a type of symbiotic interaction where both organisms benefit from the relationship.

Commensalism is ___

a type of symbiotic interaction where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Parasitism is __

a type of symbiotic interaction where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Examples of parasitism is ___ and ___

tuberculosis and H1N1 influenza 

The total volume microbiota is about ___

2.5 pounds

Gnotobiotics are ___

the study of organisms in controlled microbial environment

The function of a microbiome ___

prevents pathogen colonization, production of nutrients, development roles and digestion/metabolism

Diet influences microbial communities by __

affecting the composition and activity of gut bacteria.

The type of microbiota that correlates with a protein diet is __

bacterioides

The type of microbiota that correlates with a carb diet ___

prevotella

The type of microbiota that correlates with a fiber diet is __

ruminococcus

The factors influencing colonization are ___

physical contact, dietary factors, and resilience (adaptation)

The relationship between a normal microbiota and the host is beneficial by __

promoting health, aiding digestion, and protecting against pathogens.

The first line of defense against diseases are __

the normal microbiota; it acts as an antagonist to potential pathogens by occupying nutrients and space and enhancing the immune response.

The locations of microbial communities are ___

skin, eyes, respiratory tract, oral cavity, gastrointestinal microbiota, genitourinary tract

The eye’s environment is __

mostly microbe-free; facilitated by blinking, tears and antimicrobial substances 

The respiratory tract __

like the sinuses are mostly microbe-free due to mucus and cilia that trap and clear pathogens.

The oral cavity ___

have a high microbe density containing about 1000 microbial species that contribute to digestion and oral health

The large intestine ___

houses the largest microbial populations in the body

The key microbe-free areas are ___

heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, brain, blood, urine, saliva, semen