microbiota and digestion Flashcards
what is a microbiome
an assembly of microorganisms, their genes and gene products and the surrounding environmental conditions
what is a holobiont
an organism and its microbiome as one unit
where are microbiomes found in animals
mucosal surfaces, predominantly the digestive tract
what human systems has the microbiome been associated with
digestion, nutrient uptake and metabolism,
immune system,
brain and behaviour,
endocrine system
what indicates a healthy microbiome
a plastic (dynamic) one - can rapidly respond to changes in conditions
what determines the composition of microbiomes
host phylogeny, diet and environment
what does gnotobiotic mean
known composition of microorganisms
what does axenic mean
germ free
what is the word for disruption in the microbiome
dysbiosis
how does the microbial diversity change through an insects digestive tract
foregut - low
midgut - most digestion and absorption - low-mid
hindgut - fermentation and excretion - high
what happens to the number of microorganisms as you move away from the stomach
increases
why is the stomach low in microbiota
due to high acidity
what is a benefit of short chain fatty acids
considered anti-inflammatory = probiotic
what is the community structure of microbiota in ruminants
very abundant and diverse
