Microbiomes

Question 1

What are innovative research models for understanding microbial dark matter?

Answer 1

Fermented food matrices as a model, any matrix/selected ecological niches

These models help study unculturable microbiomes.

Question 2

What is a microbiota?

Answer 2

The community of microorganisms living together in a particular habitat

This includes bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses.

Question 3

What is a microbiome?

Answer 3

The community of microorganisms living together in a particular habitat in a complex microsystem of interlinked networks and functions; includes microorganisms and their genes

All humans, animals, plants, soils, and oceans have their unique microbiome.

Question 4

What is the role of gut bacteria in a mutualistic relationship?

Answer 4

Convert dietary fibre into short-chain fatty acids, synthesise vitamins B and K, help metabolise bile acids, sterols and other compounds

Short-chain fatty acids include acetic and butyric acid.

Question 5

What gene became a focal point for studying bacterial relationships?

Answer 5

16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene

This gene is universally distributed and changes slowly over time.

Question 6

What is the significance of comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence?

Answer 6

Used to explore prokaryote phylogeny

It helps in understanding evolutionary relationships among bacteria.

Question 7

What was discovered about prokaryote phylogeny through comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence?

Answer 7

• universally distributed
• constancy of function
• change in sequence slowly

Question 8

What are ribosomes?

Answer 8

Macromolecular machines found within all living cells that are responsible for protein synthesis (mRNA translation)

Ribosomes play a crucial role in translating genetic information into proteins.

Question 9

What are ‘most wanted’ bacterial taxa?

Answer 9

Bacteria with promising potential for applications and health benefits

These taxa are often unculturable and represent a significant area of research.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: A microbiome includes microorganisms and their _______.

Answer 10

genes

This includes all genetic material associated with the microbial community.

Question 11

Give an example of a mutualistic relationship

Answer 11

Bacteria in human gut