4.2 Microbiota Flashcards
(71 cards)
What is microbiota ?
community of microorganisms that inhabit a particular environment, such as the human body or a specific ecosystem
What is the microbiome ?
collective genomes of the micro-organisms in a particular environment (collection of all their genetic material - RNA/DNA)
What parts of the human body do microorganisms inhabit ? where is vast majority ?
- gastrointestinal tract
- skin
- saliva
- oral mucosa
- conjunctiva
- vast majority in colon
The microbiome plays a critical role in human health, supporting processes such as what ?
- maining intestinal integrity and supporting barrier function
- Breaking down food
- Providing essential vitamins, nutrients and beneficial short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate
- Regulating the immune system
- Protecting against infection through secretion of bacteriocins and antagonising pathogens
- Contributing to mental health
- Regulating metabolism
What are the methods of microbiota acquisition in babies ?
- vertical = transferred from parent to offspring
- horizontal = microbial colonisation after germination/birth/hatching from environment or conspecifics
- or combination of both
What are the 4 dominant gut microbial phyla ?
Firm Bacteria Are Powerful
- Firmicutes
- Bacteroidetes
- Actinobacteria
- Proteobacteria
How is dysbiosis often defined as?
an alteration of gut microbiota composition and a cause or a consequence of disorders
Example of genus of bacteria included in the phylum firmicutes
- lactobacillus
- bacillus
- clostridium
- streptococcus
- enterococus
- ruminococus
Example of genus of bacterium in phylum bacteroidetes
- bacteroides
- prevotella
example of genus of bactiera in actinobacteria phylum
bifidobacterium
example of bacteria in proteobacteria phyla
- escherichia coli
- helicobacter pylori
- enterbacterias
- campilobacterias
List the types of microorganisms found in the human microbiota
- bacteria
- viruses
- fungi
- archea
- protozoa
The viruses found in the human microbiota are predominantly ….1… which .2… and …3.. within bacterial cells
- bacteriophages
- infect
- replicate
Most common fungi species that is found in the human microbiota ?
candida
Example of archea that is found in the human microbiota and what it is
methanobrevibacter, type of methanogen helps with host’s nutrient break down
Function of firmicutes ?
- break down complex carbohydrates
- regulate immune system
- promote integrity of the git barrier
- fermentation of dietary fiber
- synthesis of vitamins like vitamin K
- Firmicutes break down complex carbohydrates producing what ?
- Give examples of the answer above
- short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
- acetate, propionate, butyrate
Function of bacteriodetes ?
1. metabolise…
2. contribute to…
3. maintenance of..
- metabolise plant polysaccharides and dietary fiber
- contribute to production of SCFAs in immune modulation
- mainetenance of intestinal homeostasis
Function of actinobacteria?
- ferement carbohydrates
- produce lactic acid
- compete with harmful bacteria for resources in the gut
- maintenance of a balanced gut microbiota
- support immune function
Phylum proteobacteria include many ..1.. species, some ..2.. and play important roles in gut health.
They can produce SCFAs and contribute to the breakdown of …3..
- pathogenic
- commensals
- complex carbohydrates
list examples of genera that most bacteria belong to
brb pc fep
- bacteroides
- clostridium
- fusobacterium
- eubacterium
- ruminococcus
- peptococcus
- peptostreptococcus
- bifidobacterium
Which genera are present to a lesser extent for bacteria ?
- escherichia
- lactobacillus
- Which genus is suggests to be especially important in the functioning of the host ?
- why is this ?
- bacteroides
- species from the genus alone constitue about 30% of all bacteria in the gut
What are the 4 main functions of gut microbiota ?
- promotes digestion by facilitating the absorption of nutrients
- helps the digestive tract to function properly
- creates a barrier against pathogens and toxins
- plays a defensive role in the development of the immune system