THE HUMAN MICROBIOME Flashcards
what is commensalism
a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is unharmed
what are commensal bacteria?
bacteria that act on the hosts immune system to induce protective responses that prevent invasion and colonisation by pathogens
when can commensal bacteria cause disease?
when the environment is changed or they enter a sterile region of the body
what does pathogenicity mean?
the potential disease causing capcity of pathogens
what is the balance of microbes on us or in us influenced by?
diet, health, hormones, personal hygeine, antibiotics
what does transient colonisation mean?
when the bacteria has no interference with bodily functions
what are resident flora?
microorganisms that usually occupy a particular body site
what are transient flora?
Microorganisms that colonize people for hours to weeks but do not establish themselves permanently
what is the human microbiome?
the array of microorganisms that live on and in humans
what does dysbiosis mean?
a reduction in microbial diversity and a loss of beneficial bacteria and a rise in harmful bacteria
what are probiotics?
bacteria and yeast that improve and restore the gut flora
what are prebiotics?
non-digestible constituents of food which stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon (food for the gut bacteria)
why are gut bacteria important?
they promote protection against metabolic diseases, help maintain a healthy body weight, produce important short-chain fatty acids, train the immune system to work optimally, deter pathogens that could make you sick
and maintain the intestinal lining against “leaky gut”
what are some examples of prebiotics?
resistant starches e.g. legumes, fruits
what are some examples of probiotics?
fermented food e.g. kimchi, yoghurt
