Chapter 3D

Question 1

what is the gut brain axis

Answer 1

the gut brain axis is a bidirectional link between the CNS and the eccentric nervous system (exists in the gastrointestinal tract) that involved pathways between the cognitive and emotional centres of the brain and peripheral intestinal functions. In simple terms:
- it is about how our brain affects our gut and how our gut affects our brain

Question 2

gut microbiota

Answer 2

The hut microbiota is a complex and very large population of bacteria which reside in the human gastrointestinal tract

Question 3

why are gut microbiota important

Answer 3

• The health of your gut can change based on
  the types and amounts of gut microbiota
  present
• In addition, a greater diversity of gut
  microbiota can result in greater gut health
• A healthy diet = healthy and diverse gut
  microbiota = greater ability to cope with
  stress.
  any changes to the gut microbiota can have implications for an idinviduals health

Question 4

ecentric nervous system

Answer 4

The enteric nervous system is the network of nerves in the gut, a subdivision
of the autonomic nervous system

Question 5

the vagus nerve

Answer 5

communication between the brain and the gut is facilitated by the vagus nerve, it allows for bidirectional communication as it contains both sensory neurons that send afferent information to the brain and motor neurons that send efferent info to the gut. most messages approximately 80-90% are messages from the gut to the brain