4B - Gut Brain Axis

Question 1

what are gut microbiota? give 3 examples

Answer 1

the microorganisms that live in the gut.

bacteria, fungi, viruses

Question 2

what does the gut do?

Answer 2

processes food, absorbs nutrients, creates and excretes waste

Question 3

what division is the gut-brain axis part of?

Answer 3

the enteric nervous system

Question 4

What does the gut - brain axis refer to?

Answer 4

refers to the connection that exists between the CNS and ENS

Question 5

what does the gut-brain axis do?

Answer 5

enables bidirectional communicaton between the brain and the GI tract.

Question 6

bi directional communication happens through the…

Answer 6

vagus nerve and gut microbiota

Question 7

what is the vagus nerve

Answer 7

a column of nerve fibres that connects the brain and the gut.

Question 8

what are the percentages of communication that go either way?

Answer 8

10% - 20% of nerve fibres convery information from brain to gut (efferent pathways)

80% - 90% of nerve fibres convey information from gut to brain (afferent pathways)