Week 4 Day 1 Microbiomes in Human Health

What is the primary type of microorganism found in the human microbiota?

Bacteria

Name five primary locations on or in the human body where microbiota are found.

Skin, mouth, gut, respiratory tract, urogenital tract

What three main types of microorganisms comprise the skin microbiome?

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses

What is one protective function of the skin microbiome?

It offers protection against pathogens

How does the composition of species in the skin microbiome differ?

Depending on the body region

What skin condition can be a symptom of an imbalanced skin microbiome?

Eczema

List three symptoms associated with an imbalance in the skin microbiome.

Eczema, itchiness, flaking skin, or slow wound healing

What is one lifestyle tip suggested to help restore balance to the skin microbiome?Spend time in nature, sweat it out, care for your gut, be mindful of showering, or minimize stress

What is one lifestyle tip suggested to help restore balance to the skin microbiome

In the mouth, microbes can exist as free-floating cells or within organized what?

Biofilms

What common genus of bacteria is found on the tongue dorsum?

Streptococcus

Name 3 habit thats can harm the oral microbiome.

Poor diet, smoking/vaping, or alcohol consumption

What are two categories of things that can hurt the oral microbiome?

Medical conditions and prescription drugs

What is one practice that helps maintain a healthy oral microbiome?

1. oral hygiene

2. drinking water

3. healthy diet

4. oral probiotics

Where are gut microorganisms mostly found and some are found where

In the large intestine, some in stomach and small intestine 4

What nerve fibers does the gut microbiome communicate with the Central Nervous System through?

Vagal nerve fibers

What is a key function of the gut microbiome regarding harmful microbes?

It helps prevent the colonization of harmful microbes

What important signaling molecules does the gut microbiome stimulate the production of?

Neurotransmitters

what type of food can negatively affect the gut microbiome

processed food

Which bacterium is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea after antibiotic use?

Clostridium difficile

What procedure involves transplanting feces from a healthy donor?

A Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT)

What is the most common method for performing a fecal microbiota transplant?

Colonoscopy

Name an alternative method to colonoscopy for administering a fecal transplant.

Upper endoscopy, enema, or oral capsule

From a microbiome perspective, what is the human placenta considered?

Sterile

The microbiome of an infant born via Cesarean section typically resembles the mother's what?

Skin microbiota

The microbiome of an infant born via vaginal delivery typically resembles the mother's what?

Vaginal and gut microbiota

What is a key difference in microbial diversity between infants born vaginally versus by C-section?

Infants born vaginally have increased microbial diversity

Delivery via Cesarean section is linked to an increased risk for what?

Lifelong disorders

What is the role of the infant gut microbiome in relation to the immune system?

Regulating the development of the immune system and the Central Nervous System (CNS)

What is the general effect of 'bad' microbiota in an infant's gut?

They can increase intestinal permeability and cause local inflammation

Live microbes that confer a beneficial health effect on the host are called

What are probiotics?

What is the goal of a probiotic treatment?

To introduce beneficial microbial strains into a host's microbiome

Is yogurt an example of a probiotic or a prebiotic?

Probiotic

Are onions and bananas examples of probiotics or prebiotics?

Prebiotics

What is a key takeaway regarding infant microbiomes?

They can have lifelong effects

Which three major microbiomes are directly associated with human health?

The skin, oral, and gut microbiomes

give an example of how bacteria in mouth can be good or bad

good - Some bacteria can help build back tooth enamel

bad - harmful and bad breath

An aggregation of microorganisms that secrete adhesive

mucilage, thereby gluing themselves to surfaces is known as

biofilm

why does surgery decrease your gut microbiome

they make you take antibiotics

in a fecal transplant, what type of patient receives the feces

C. difficile patient

___ at time of delivery can influence microbes

presen

age

most important micro biome in infants is

gut microbiome

what % of body mass are microbiomes

1-3%

- Foods that act as food for

microbiota organisms

- Used to improve balance of

microorganisms

prebiotics