microbiota
Internal bacterial community
Microbiota are the microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, viruses—that live in a particular environment, especially the human body.
The gut microbiota, for instance, comprises trillions of organisms in the digestive tract that influence digestion, immunity, and even mood.
Researchers are studying how diet affects the gut microbiota.
Distinguished from microbiome, which technically refers to the collective genomes of these organisms, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
Digestive tract, or instinct
respiratory · urogenital · ocular · scalp · axillary · mammary · placental · neonatal
Coiled digestive organs
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
- prebioticsFood for gut flora
- colonLarge intestine section
gastrointestinal · enteric · fermentation · lactobacillus · enzymes · metabolites · villi · jejunum
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- archaeaThird domain of life
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
prokaryotes · eukaryotes · bacteriophage · yeast · mold · commensals · parasites · spirochetes
Two-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
- hostOne receiving guests
- symbiontOrganism sharing mutual benefit
colonization · coevolution · antagonism · facilitation · interdependence · biofilm · cooperation
State of abundance
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- abundanceAmple supply, overflowing
- variabilityTendency to change
spectrum · balance · ratio · population · community · strain · species · phylogeny
Swollen, expanded state
- gasFormless, expanding substance
- flatulenceIntestinal gas accumulation
- belchingExpelling stomach air orally
- IBSIntestinal motility disorder
constipation · diarrhea · cramping · discomfort · malabsorption · motility · fermentation
Protected from harm
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- nutritionBodily use of food
diet · metabolism · resistance · biofilm · homeostasis · inflammation · allergies · autoimmune
gut
Digestive tract, or instinct
nasal · respiratory · urogenital · ocular · scalp · axillary · mammary · placental · neonatal · environmental
intestines
Coiled digestive organs
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
- prebioticsFood for gut flora
colon · gastrointestinal · enteric · fermentation · lactobacillus · enzymes · metabolites · villi · jejunum · ileum
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- archaeaThird domain of life
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
viruses · prokaryotes · eukaryotes · bacteriophage · yeast · mold · commensals · parasites · spirochetes · cocci
mutualism
Two-way biological benefit
- commensalismNeutral host, benefiting guest
- parasitismOne benefits, one suffers
- hostOne receiving guests
symbiont · colonization · coevolution · antagonism · facilitation · interdependence · biofilm · cooperation
richness
State of abundance
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- abundanceAmple supply, overflowing
variability · spectrum · balance · ratio · population · community · strain · species · phylogeny · taxonomic
bloating
Swollen, expanded state
- gasFormless, expanding substance
- flatulenceIntestinal gas accumulation
- belchingExpelling stomach air orally
IBS · constipation · diarrhea · cramping · discomfort · malabsorption · motility · fermentation
immunity
Protected from harm
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
nutrition · diet · metabolism · resistance · biofilm · homeostasis · inflammation · allergies · autoimmune · obesity
- microbiologybacteria, bacterium, microorganism, virus, viruses
- microbial ecologybiofilm, symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism
- commensalsremora, remoras, pilot fish, oxpecker, oxpeckers
- gut-brainvagus nerve, second brain, neural pathways, gut feelings, neurotransmitters
- microbiomegut flora, intestinal flora, beneficial bacteria, intestinal bacteria, lactobacillus
- Breast Milkcolostrum, foremilk, hindmilk, lactose, whey
microbiotamacrofauna
Visible-sized animal life
megafauna · macroorganisms · large mammals · vertebrates · mammals
- gut microbiomeMicrobial community in digestive tract
- skin microbiomeMicroorganisms inhabiting body surface
- microbiology labsSpaces for studying microorganisms