Studied by 34 people
Microbial Ecology
Ecology
Systematic study of the interrelationships that exist between organisms and their environment.
Microbial Ecology
Study of the numerous interrelationships between microorganisms and the world around them
Symbiosis (Symbiotic Relationship)
The living together or close association of two dissimilar organisms.
Symbionts
Organisms that live together in such a relationship.
Neutralism
Neither symbionts are affected by the relationship.
Commensalism
Beneficial symbionts are affected and of no consequences to the other.
Mutualism
Beneficial to both symbionts.
Parasitism
Beneficial to one symbiont (parasite) and detrimental to the other symbiont (the host).
Indigenous Microbiota of Humans
Includes all the microorganisms that reside on and within that person. Generally harmless under normal conditions
Indigenous Flora (Normal Flora)
Generally harmless under normal conditions; microorganisms that are naturally inhabiting and native within our body.
Resident Microflora
Harmless and helpful microbes which take up residence on the skin, all body openings, and mucus membrane that line the digestive tract and the genitourinary tract.
Beneficial Effects of Indigenous Microbiota
Vitamin synthesis and immunity
Biotherapeutic agents
Vitamin Synthesis
It is the synthesis of vitamin K and B
Immunity
It is the alertness of immune system, fights off foreign microorganisms, resists irritants and antigen, and prevent pathogenic colonization.
Normal Microbiota
These are cultures of lactobacillus in yogurt and medications. May be prescribed to reestablish and stabilize microbial balance.
Harmful Effects of Indigenous Microbiota
This refers to microbial antagonism and opportunistic pathogen.
Microbial Antagonism
It means microbes against microbes. It refers to the cancelling of each symbiont’s effects.
Opportunistic Pathogen
It refers to dormant and harmless in normal condition. They can be thought of as organisms that are hanging around, waiting for the opportunity to cause infection.
Transient Microbiota
They take up temporary residence on and within humans.
Superinfection
Unnecessary disruption of our defenses or the overgrowth or population explosion of an organism that is usually present in low numbers.
Reasons why Transient Microbes are Temporary
Maybe washed from external areas by bathing.
May not be able to compete with the resident microbiota.
May fail to survive in the environment’s pH.
May be killed by substances produced by resident microbiota.
May be flushed away by bodily secretions or excretion.
Skin
The primary anaerobic bacteria and fungi found in this part of the body are Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Dry Calloused Skin
The part of the skin that have few bacteria.
Moist Folds between Toes and Fingers
The part of the skin that supports many bacteria and fungi.
Outer Ear and Auditory Canal
The microorganisms found here are same with microorganisms found in the skin.
Middle and Inner Ear
These parts of the ear are considered sterile. However, when a person coughs, sneezes, or blows their nose, these microbes may be carried along the Eustachian tube and could cause infection.
External Eye
This part is lubricated, cleansed, and protected by tears, mucus, and sebum.
Upper Respiratory Tract
It is composed of nose, pharynx, and larynx that have an abundant and varied population of microorganisms.
Lower Respiratory Tract
It is composed of trachea, bronchioles, and lungs that is usually free of microbes because the mucous membranes and lungs have defense mechanisms that efficiently remove invader.
Oral Cavity
It is the shelter for aerobic and anaerobic microbiota.
Alpha-hemolytic streptococci
It is the most common organisms in the indigenous microbiota of the mouth. In severe cases, they may cause pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
Streptococcus mutans
It is the bacterium most often implicated in the formation of plaque and cavity.
Helicobacter pylori
It is a Gram-negative bacteria that is considered acidophile. It lives in some people’s stomachs and is the common cause of ulcers.
Colon
It contains the largest number and variety of microorganisms in the body. This includes bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Mostly anaerobic microbes.
Defecation
It is the way how microbes are removed from the GI tract
E. coli (Escherichia coli)
It is the common cause of UTI or urinary tract infection.
Urination
It is the way urinary tract flushes bacteria from ascending to the urinary bladder.
During Puberty and After Menopause
Vaginal secretions at this age of a woman are alkaline which supports the growth of various diphtheroid, streptococci, staphylococci, and coliform
Through childbearing years
Vaginal secretions at this woman's age are acidic, which can encourage the growth of lactobacilli along with a few a-hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, diphtheroids, and yeast.
Bacterial vaginosis
It is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora. It is controlled by lactic acid which is a metabolic byproduct of lactobacilli.
Biofilms
Microbes are often organized into complex and persistent communities/systems of assorted organisms. They have medical significance and for on bones, heart valves, tissues , and inanimate objects.
Frustrated Phagocytosis
It is the suppression of the ability of phagocytes to kill any biofilm bacteria. They simply become activated and release toxins that might also injure proximal healthy tissues.
Synergism
Where two or more microorganism may team up to produce disease that neither can produce by itself
Synergistic Infection
Also can be referred to as polymicrobial infection or mixed infection.
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