Microbiome Flashcards
1
Q
How many different bacterial species are there in the human GI tract?
A
-500-1000
2
Q
What are the two phyla that dominate the species of bacteria in the GI tract?
A
- Bacteroidetes
- Firmicutes
3
Q
How do we get bacteria in our GI tract?
A
- In utero
- during birth from vaginal canal
- Breast milk
- Start of solid food
4
Q
What are the metabolic contributions of the gut microbiome?
A
- improved digestion
- vitamin synthesis
- extract additional calories from indigestible oligosaccharides
5
Q
What happens to the composition of the microbiome as we age?
A
- increase in facultative anaerobes
- shifts in ratio of bacteroides to firmicutes
- decrease in bifidobacteria
6
Q
What is dysbiosis? How can it be caused?
A
-microbial imbalance inside or outside the body
- antibiotics
- overgrowth
- Altered polulations
7
Q
How is the GI microbiome different in obese individuals?
A
- fewer types of microbes in their gut compared to lean individuals
- obese patients have more firmicutes and fewer bacteroidetes than lean subjects
8
Q
What are three strategies for maintaining our gut microbial lawn?
A
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Bacteriotherapy
9
Q
What are probiotics?
A
- viable microorganisms that, when ingested in a sufficient amount, can be beneficial for health
- must survive gastric acid and bile to exert effects in intestine
10
Q
What are prebiotics?
A
- ingested substances that selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of desirable bacteria in the digestive system in ways claimed to be beneficial to health
- eg: non-digestible oligosaccharides
11
Q
What is fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)?
A
-poop transplannt
12
Q
What is Clostridum Difficile Infection?
A
- bacterial infection of the intestine that results in chronic diarrhea
- possible cure via FMT
