The Human Microbiome Flashcards
Define the human microbiome
Microbes (including their genes and genomes) that li in and one the human body
Define resident microbiota
Organisms found in a given location in a state of health
Define colonisation
Establishment at a site in the body
Define symbiosis
Two or more organisms co existing in close association
Define opportunistic bacteria
Caused by an organism that is a member of the normal microbiota or normally inhabits the external environment
Define symbiotic association
Close relationships between two dissimilar organisms
list the 3 aspects that make up symbiotic associations
- Parasitism
- Commensalism
- Mutualism
What is mutualism?
An association between two organisms in which both species benefits
What is commensalism?
When one member of the relationship benefits and the other is unharmed/ unaffected
What is parasitism?
When on ember of the relationship benefits but is causing harm to the other
Which of the 3 types of symbiotic relationships do we usually have with our microbiome
A mix of commensalism and mutualism
How do we maintain a beneficial environment with our microbiome
There is continual pressure on our HOST IMMUNITY CELLS to maintain the beneficial relationship
What is dysbiosis
Imbalances in the resident human microbiota or our responses to them
Name the 3 types of detrimental relationships we can have with microbiota
- Predation/ parasitism
- Amensalism
- Competition
What is predation/ parasitism
When the host is infected
What is amensalism
When either the microbes or host are injured
What is competition
The struggle for resources
Define symbiont
Member of the resident microbiota that confers benefit to the host
Define pathobiont
A member of the resident microbiota that causes disease when loss of the normal balance between the host and resident microbiota occurs
How is a sterile site defined?
Defined as a site with no microbes present
How is a non sterile site defined
Non sterile sites are defined as having a normal microbial population due to their exposure to the environment
Why can non sterile sites in the body not become sterile?
As there’s no mechanical in place to maintain or re establish sterility
Give examples of non sterile sites
- Conjunctiva
- Oral cavity and oropharynx
- Vagina
- Skin
- GI tract
Name the different types of sterile sites
Sterility maintained by:
- Surface cleaning
- Barriers that allow uni directional flow
- Physical separation from non sterile sites
Give examples of sites in the body where sterility is maintained by surface cleaning
Lower respiratory tract
Give examples of sites in the body where sterility is maintained by barriers that allow uni directional flow
- Hepatobiliary tract
- Middle ear
- Upper genital tract
- Urinary tract
Which barrier maintains the sterility of the hepatobiliary tract
Sphincter of Oddi
Which barrier maintains the sterility of the middl ear
Eustachian tube
Which barrier maintains the sterility of the upper genital tract
Cervix
Which barrier maintains the sterility of the urinary tract
Urethra
Give examples of sites in the body where sterility is maintained by physical separation from non sterile sites
Closed cavities such as:
- Pleural cavity
- Peritoneal cavity
- Spinal cord and meninges
Where can microenvironment grow?
Between sites
Within sites
What factors effect where micro organisms can grow?
- Tissue tropisms
- Moisture
- Temperature
- pH
- O2 availability
- Nature of surface
- Surface turnover