normal microbiota

Question 1

what is the normal microbiota

Answer 1

refers to the organisms that colonize the body without normally causing disease

Question 2

how does the normal microbiota benefit the host

Answer 2

prevents colonization of pathogenic microbes (outcompetes for nutrients/space, production of toxic proteins), may produce metabolites that are used by the host, stimulate the immune system

Question 3

what are bacteriocins

Answer 3

toxic proteins

Question 4

how do microbes benefit from being part of the host’s normal microbiota

Answer 4

they receive a favorable environment + get lots of nutrients

Question 5

where are most microbes found in the human body

Answer 5

large intestine

Question 6

how many human cells do we have

Answer 6

3 x 10^13

Question 7

how many microbial cells do we have

Answer 7

4 x 10^13

Question 8

what types of microbes is the microbiota made up of

Answer 8

bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, protists, arthropods

Question 9

what arthropod is part of the microbiota + where is it found

Answer 9

genus Demodex (found in our pores)

Question 10

T or F: imbalances in your microflora (dysbiosis) can lead to human conditions

Answer 10

true; it obesity, IBS, diabetes