Gut Flora Flashcards

1
Q

Why does the upper gut have low gut flora populations?

A

Gastric acidity
Propulsive motility
Pancreatic enzymes

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2
Q

What factors of the large intestine allow a large and complex ecosystem of gut flora to develop?

A

Stagnant motility with retropulsive contractions

pH buffered by bicarbonate ions

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3
Q

How many different species of bacteria exist in the large intestine?

A

Over 400

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4
Q

What is the importance of gut flora?

A

They have roles in nutrient metabolism, xenobiotic and drug metabolism, antimicrobial protection and immunomodulatiom

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5
Q

Gut bacteria are mostly strict anaerobes. T/F?

A

True

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6
Q

Approximately what mass of undigested carbohydrate is fermented by gut bacteria every day?

A

60g

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7
Q

Bacteria in the large intestine can ferment carbohydrates to produce short chain fatty acids including acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid. Why are these useful?

A

Acetic acid is a substrate for fat synthesis in the liver
Propionic acid is used as an energy source for the liver, is gluconeogenic and may reduce cholesterol synthesis
Butyric acid is a major energy source for colonic cells and can stimulate differentiation of colonic cells and can massively stimulate sodium and chloride ion absorption

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