The Human Microbiome Flashcards
(T/F) Microbes in the human body are all harmful.
False!
Most are harmless and many are actually beneficial to the human body!
Match the terms to their definitions:
1) Microbiome
2) Microbiota
A) A term used to describe all the microbes in a microhabitat (e.g., skin microbiota).
B) A functional collection of different microbes in a particular environmental system (e.g., the human microbiome).
Microbiome: A functional collection of different microbes in a particular environmental system (e.g., the human microbiome).
Microbiota: A term used to describe all the microbes in a microhabitat (e.g., skin microbiota).
(T/F) Different microhabitats support different microbes, so the skin will have very different microbes than the mouth.
True!
Fill in the blank:
All sites on a human that contain microorganisms are part of a ________.
Microbiome
(T/F) Our bodies carry about twice as many bacterial cells as human cells and about 100 times more non-redundant bacterial genes than human genes.
False!
Our bodies carry about AS MANY bacterial cells as human cells and about 100 times more non-redundant bacterial genes than human genes.
(T/F) There is more bacteria in the skin than the intestine and more in the mouth than the lungs.
False!
There is MORE bacteria in the INTESTINE than the SKIN and more in the mouth than the lungs.
What are the three future benefits of knowing the human microbiome?
1) Development of biomarkers for predicting predisposition to diseases
2) Designing targeted therapies
3) Personalized drug therapies and probiotics
Which one of the statements regarding the human microbiome is false?
1) There is complex interactions between the host and its microbiota.
2) No one species is the most abundant across all individuals (diversity between individuals is high).
3) All microbial groups are present in the same levels in different niches.
4) Similarities between individuals are more evident at higher taxonomic levels (phyla).
3!
Particular microbial groups typically dominate certain niches. This is due to the biochemical attributes (e.g., acidophiles in stomach).
(T/F) The human microbiome changes depending where you live, your age, or if you have pets.
True!
Which microbiota niche is the most studied?
The gastro-intestinal microbiota.
Why is the skin difficult to colonize?
Dry, salty, acidic and has protective oils.
Which factors influence the composition of the bacteria in the skin?
- Environmental factors (weather, pets)
- Host factors (age, personal hygiene)
What are the three main micro-environments in the skin?
1) Dry skin
2) Moist skin
3) Sebaceous skin
What are the two distinct layers of the skin? What do each of the layers compose of?
1) EPIDERMIS: (top layer) keratinocytes & squames
2) DERMIS: (deeper layer) sub-cutaneous tissues, sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles and immune cells.
What kind of bacteria are mostly present on the skin? Why?
Gram positive bacteria; they are more resistant to salt and dryness.
(T/F) It is mostly different kinds of bacteria that is found on the skin. If there is fungi on the skin, it is only 1 kind.
True!
(Malassezia spp is the fungi’s name)
How do S. epidermidis inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation and eventually kill them?
S.epidermidis produce a serine protease (Esp) to inhibit S.aureus biofilm formation.
The S.epidermidis that express the Esp induce KERATINOCYTES to produce ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES via IMMUNE CELL SIGNALLING, killing S.aureus.
How do S.hominis decrease S.aureus colonization?
They produce LANTIBIOTICS that synergize with human antimicrobial peptide LL-37.
How do propionibacterium acnes promote S.aureus aggregation and biofilm formation?
They produce a small molecule called COPROPORPHYRIN II.
Which bacteria out of these kill S.aureus and prevent its biofilm formation and which promote S.aureus aggregation and biofilm formation?
1) S. epidermidis
2) S. hominis
3) Propionibacterium acnes
4) S. lugdunensis
1) S. epidermidis (Esp + kill)
2) S. hominis (produce lantibiotic)
4) S. lugdunensis (produce antibiotic)
3) Propionibacterium acnes (coproporphyrin II promotes aggregation and biofilm formation)
(T/F) The human body can secrete different types of antimicrobials; some bacteria are more affected by these than others.
True.
Fill in the blanks:
The oral cavity is a _______, ___________ microbial habitat.
Complex; heterogeneous
What kind of enzymes does the saliva contain?
Antimicrobial
But despite this, high concentration of nutrients near surfaces in the mouth promote localized microbial growth.
(T/F) The oral microbiota are normally harmless, but can cause disease.
True
What is BACTEREMIA? What can it lead to?
Bacteremia is when the oral microbiota enter the bloodstream. This can lead to subacute bacterial ENDOCARDITIS.
Prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis.
Fill in the blanks:
The _______ airways have more bacteria than the _________ airways.
Why?
Higher (upper respiratory tract); lower (lower respiratory tract)
Bacteria continually enter the upper respiratory tract from the air during breathing.
Ciliated mucosal cells move particles (bacteria included) up and out of the lungs.
Fill in the blanks:
Most bacteria from the air that enter the upper respiratory tract are trapped in the _____ of the _____ and _____ passages.
They are expelled with ______ secretions or swallowed and killed in the ______.
Mucus; nasal and oral
Nasal; stomach
(T/F) The lower respiratory tract (lungs + trachea) are sterile.
False! Though they were originally thought to be sterile, the lungs and trachea harbor normal microbiota.
What are the most prominent bacteria found in the lower respiratory tract?
Prevotella, streptococcus, and veillonella
What makes up the “mucociliary elevator”? What is its role?
The ciliated mucous lining of the TRACHEA, BRONCHI and BRONCHIOLES.
Role: sweeps foreign particles up and out of the lung.
Why must an immune response in the lungs be well controlled and almost “surgeon-like” in its precision?
The anatomy of the lungs that allows for gas exchange is VERY DELICATE.
A strong immune response causes tissue damage that could kill.
How do the epithelial cells of the lungs defend themselves (instead of triggering an immune response) ?
1) Secretion of MUCUS
2) Secretion of SURFACTANTS that normally decrease surface tension but can also be microbicides
3) Can DETECT pathogens and secrete MICROBICIDAL POLYPEPTIDES, or CYTOKINES such as IL-25 and IL-33
*2 and 3 usually done by Type II epithelial cells
Fill in the blanks regarding the lungs protecting itself:
A large population of resident alveolar ________ constantly clear debris and intruders by ____________.
Macrophage; phagocytosis
*resident meaning they don’t move
Fill in the blanks regarding the lungs protecting itself:
___________ cells present in the respiratory epitheli also set the tone for the immune response with their ability to present ____ to cells of adaptive immunity.
Dendritic; Ag (antigen)
(T/F) The kidney and the bladder are normally sterile.
True!
*kidney infections r rlly risky
Which bacteria frequently cause urinary tract infections in women?
E.coli
P. mirabilis
(T/F) UTIs are one of the most common infections worldwide, affecting over 100 millions people each year, where 12-15% of biological women affected annually and 50% by their 32nd bday. It is also a top ten common reason for seeing a doctor in Canada.
True!
Which one the statements regarding STIs is false?
1) STIs are sometimes included in UTIs, although UTI is generally referred to as bladder infections.
2) STIs primarily affect the gastro-intestinal system and are an important cause of patient morbidity.
3) There are apprx 20 million new cases of STIs annually in the US; half of which occur in 15-24 year olds.
2 is false!
STIs primarily affect the UROGENITAL system and are an important cause of patient morbidity.
(T/F) The microbiota of the genital tract is the same between males and females.
False! They are different.
Fill in the blanks regarding the microbiota of the genital tract of women:
The vagina of the adult female is weakly ______ and has a lot of ________.
Acidic; glycogen