Lecture 9 Flashcards
What are Resident Flora?
Resident Flora are microbes that are always present on the human body.
What are Transient Flora?
Transient Flora are microbes that live in or on the body for a period of time but then move on or die off.
What is a Symbiotic Relationship?
A symbiotic relationship is an interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association.
What is a Mutualistic Relationship, and can you give an example?
In a mutualistic relationship, both organisms benefit. An example is the relationship between humans and Escherichia coli in the digestive tract.
Do humans have any communalistic relationships with bacteria?
No, humans do not have any communalistic relationships with bacteria.
What is an Opportunistic microbe, and can you give an example?
An opportunistic microbe does not cause disease under normal circumstances but may become pathogenic if conditions change. For example, Escherichia coli is normally harmless in the digestive tract but can cause disease if it enters the urinary tract.
