The Human Microbiome- 30

Question 1

Microbiome

Answer 1

Complete collection of microorganisms, and their genes within a particular environment.

Question 2

Microbiota

Answer 2

Individual microbial species in a biome-bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses

Question 3

The HMP goals:

5

Answer 3

1. To develop a reference set of
   microbial genome sequences and to perform preliminary
   characterization of the human
   microbiome
2. To explore the relationship
   between disease and changes in the human microbiome
3. To develop new technologies and tools for computational analysis
4. To establish a resource repository
5. To study the ethical, legal, and
   social implications of human
   microbiome research

Question 4

Human Microbiome:
Most rapidly changing
field in human biology
The aim of the HMP is to

Answer 4

Characterize microbial communities found at multiple human body sites and to look for correlations between
changes in the microbiome and human health.

Question 5

HMP emphasis on

Answer 5

oral, 
skin, 
vaginal, 
gut, 
nasal/lung

Question 6

different sites different microbes

Answer 6

strong niche specialization both within and among individuals

Question 7

YOUR microbiome, is not MY microbiome

Answer 7

diversity and abundance of each habitat’s signature microbes vary widely
even among healthy subjects

Question 8

HMP documented

Answer 8

81–99% of the genera, enzyme families and community configurations occupied by the healthy Western microbiome

Question 9

The community can change, but the functions do not (as much)

Answer 9

Observed variations in both pathways and microbes changed with clinical
metadata along ethnic/racial differences

Question 10

> 92 bacterial and 26 archaeal groups exists, but human microbial communities are dominated by 4:

Answer 10

Firmicutes
Bacteroidetes
Actinobacteria
Proteobacteria

Question 11

Few bacterial groups, but

Answer 11

many different species and strains

Question 12

Functional foods

Answer 12

food claimed to have a
health-promoting or disease-preventing property beyond the basic function of supplying nutrients.

At least 50% of Japanese functional foods target
‘intestinal health’.

Question 13

Probiotics

Answer 13

live microorganisms
(fermented foods – yoghurt)
aid digestion

Question 14

most common types of microbes used as probiotics

Answer 14

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and
Bifidobacteria
Survive transit through stomach
and duodenum

Question 15

Probiotics Potential Benefits:

Answer 15

chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases,
prevention and
treatment of pathogen-induced diarrhea,
urogenital infections.

Question 16

Prebiotic

Answer 16

Form of fibre

an ingredient that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon.

stimulate the growth of probiotics (target Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli)

Question 17

Prebiotic

The body itself does not digest these plant fibres. so what does it do?

Answer 17

fibres act as a “fertilizer” to promote the growth of many good bacteria in the gut.

provide many digestive and general health
benefits.

Question 18

Prebiotics are from

Answer 18

oligosaccharide

whole grains, bananas, onions,
garlic, honey and artichokes.

Question 19

Clostrodium Difficile

Answer 19

bad bacterial flora

harmful following a course of antibiotics when able to proliferate.

Question 20

Fecal microbiota transplantation

FMT

Answer 20

successful treatment for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)

Question 21

HMP:

4

Answer 21

i. provided blueprint for large scale microbiome studies
ii. Unique site, unique microbiome
iii. YOUR microbiome, is not MY microbiome
iv. Species change over time, but not functions

Question 22

HM dominated by

4

Answer 22

Firmicutes,
Bacteroidetes,
Actinobacteria
Proteobacteria

Question 23

Functional foods Potential role in:

Answer 23

Intestinal development and function,
metabolic functions,
protection against pathogens, and immune system