Microbiota

Definition

Microbiota refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that inhabit a particular environment in or on the body. These microbial communities play essential roles in health and disease.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Antimicrobial drugs can disrupt the balance of normal microbiota, leading to opportunistic infections.
2. The respiratory tract's normal microbiota includes species like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus which help prevent pathogenic bacteria from colonizing.
3. Lactobacillus species are predominant in the urogenital tract and play a crucial role in maintaining vaginal health by producing lactic acid.
4. Imbalances in gut microbiota have been linked to neurological disorders due to the gut-brain axis.
5. Certain bacterial diseases of the nervous system, such as meningitis, can result from pathogens overcoming defensive mechanisms provided by resident microbiota.

Review Questions

• How can antimicrobial drugs affect the balance of normal microbiota?
• Which microbial species are commonly found in the respiratory tract and what is their role?
• What role do Lactobacillus species play in the urogenital tract?

Related terms

Antimicrobial Resistance:

The ability of microorganisms to withstand antimicrobial treatments.

Pathogen:

An organism that causes disease.

Gut-Brain Axis:

The bidirectional communication network linking the central nervous system with the gastrointestinal tract.