Chapter 4- Human Microbiome

Question 1

What is the human microbiome?

Answer 1

The community of microbes living within healthy people

Question 2

What is the most common way that a person’s microbiome becomes disrupted?

Answer 2

Antibiotic use

Question 3

The composition of the microbiome varies __________ both between _______ ________ and from one ________ to the next

Answer 3

1) greatly 2) body regions 3) individual

Question 4

What was the main finding of the Human Microbiome Project?

Answer 4

Bacterial cells outnumber human cells in healthy adults

Question 5

When does the most significant step in building a microbiome occur?

Answer 5

During the birth process

Question 6

What can you conclude about children born by Caesarean section?

Answer 6

They would have a weaker microbiome because they were not exposed to bacteria in the mother’s vagina

Question 7

Certain familial diseases that appear to be genetic may actually result from __________ genes as opposed to _________ genes

Answer 7

1) bacterial 2) human

Question 8

When is the most critical period for establishing a microbiome to enhance neurodevelopment and lifelong health?

Answer 8

First two years of life

Question 9

What is a threat to the microbiome?

Answer 9

Psychological stress

Question 10

What advice would you give a new mother considering breastfeeding?

Answer 10

Breastfeeding significantly boosts development of the microbiome. Ideally, it should continue for at least six months.

Question 11

Exposure to microorganisms seems to have the greatest effect on which body system?

Answer 11

Immune System

Question 12

Disruptions in the microbiome may contribute to which disorders?

Answer 12

IBD, obesity, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD, autism

Question 13

What is the purpose of the capsule in bacteria?

Answer 13

It keeps the bacteria from drying out

Question 14

What can you conclude about bacteria that have a capsule?

Answer 14

They are more likely to cause disease

Question 15

Which characteristic of bacteria permits them to develop antibiotic resistance?

Answer 15

Bacteria contain small loops of DNA called plasmids which can transfer from one cell to another

Question 16

What is the shape and configuration of staphylococci bacteria?

Answer 16

Round bacteria that occur in clusters.

Question 17

Antibiotics like penicillin that attack peptidoglycan affect which type of bacteria most?

Answer 17

Gram-positive bacteria

Question 18

Viruses are simply a bundle of _________ material surrounded by a ________ ________

Answer 18

1) genetic 2) protein shell

Question 19

Why do fungal infections often begin on the skin or in the lungs?

Answer 19

Because some fungi reproduce through tiny spores in the air

Question 20

Microorganisms known to cause disease are called?

Answer 20

Pathogens

Question 21

Archaea are a _________ _________ of life

Answer 21

unique domain

Question 22

Archaea are most distinct from bacteria in that they?

Answer 22

Have a semi-rigid cell wall that lacks peptidoglycans.

Question 23

The chief inhabitants of the human microbiome are ___?

Answer 23

Bacteria

Question 24

Small, hairlike projections on bacteria that allow them to attach to other cells and surfaces are called ___?

Answer 24

Pili

Question 25

Rod-shaped bacteria are called ___?

Answer 25

Bacilli

Question 26

Spiral-shaped bacteria are called ___?

Answer 26

Spirilla

Question 27

Some viruses have a spikey lipid outer membrane called a(n) ___?

Answer 27

Envelope

Question 28

The protein shell surrounding the viral genetic material is called the ___?

Answer 28

Capsid

Question 29

The three domains that make up life on Earth are bacteria, complex life, and ___?

Answer 29

Archaea