Microbiota of GI

Question 1

What is the transit time in the mouth, oesophagus and stomach

Answer 1

• Mouth - 1 Min
• Oesophagus - 4-8 seconds
• Stomach - 2-4 Hours
• Small intestine - 3-5 Hours
• Colon/Large Intestine - 10h several days

Question 2

How do bacteria populations differ as you move further down the GI tract?

Answer 2

• Bacteria population becomes more dense

- Increasing amount of anaerobic activity

Question 3

What does GUT microbiota do?

Answer 3

• Modification of host secretions, Bile, Mucin, Gut,
• Metabolism of dietary components
• Production of essential metabolites
• Development of immune system
• Host signalling

Question 4

What does fruit veg and fibre do and where is it absorbed?

Answer 4

• Absorbed in the large intestine
• ## Only 10% of energy is absorbed in large intestine

Question 5

What does junk food provide us with and where is it absorbed?

Answer 5

• It provides us with lots of calories however dosent feed our gut microbes
• Energy is absorbed in the

Question 6

What is the importance of Dietry foods such and fruit, fibre and veg?

Answer 6

• Improves feacal bulk
• Shorter transit time
• Important phytochemical
• Bacterial fermentation:
  Releases additional phytochemcials
  Maintains slightly acidic pH
  Increases commensal bacteria
  Essential supply of short chain FA
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Question 7

Where does microbial fermentation take place?

Answer 7

• Large intestine

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Question 8

What else does the large intestine absorb?

Answer 8

• ## SCFA, BCFA, insoluble gases and phytochemical are absorbed here

Question 9

What are the 3 main short chain fatty acids?

Answer 9

• Butyrate
• Propionate
• Acetate

Question 10

What is the function of Butyrate?

Answer 10

Butyrate - Epithelial cell growth and regeneration

Question 11

What is the function of propionate?

Answer 11

Propionate - Glueconeogensis in the Liver, satiety signalling

Question 12

What is the function of Acetate?

Answer 12

Acetate - Transported in peripheral tissues, involved in lipogensis