Nervous System
True or False:
The gut brain axis is a one way street from the gut to the brain.
False
The gut–brain axis is the two-way biochemical signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and the central nervous system (CNS).
True or False
Gut microbiota is established at birth.
False
In humans, the gut flora is established at one to two years after birth.
True or False
Antibiotics kill only bad strains of bacteria in the microbiome.
False
Antibiotics have severe impacts on gut microbiota, ridding of both good and bad bacteria.
Name a mental health condition that research has connected to the gut-brain connection.
Several mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders now have well-established links to functional GI disruptions.
Who composed "Moonlight Sonata"?
True or False:
The enteric nervous system can function without connecting to the brain and central nervous system.
True
The enteric nervous system can operate autonomously. It normally communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) through the parasympathetic (e.g., via the vagus nerve) and sympathetic (e.g., via the prevertebral ganglia) nervous systems. However, vertebrate studies show that when the vagus nerve is severed, the enteric nervous system continues to function.
True or False:
The relationship between gut microbiota and humans is a non-harmful coexistence.
False
The relationship between gut microbiota and humans is not merely commensal (a non-harmful coexistence), but rather a mutualistic relationship. Human gut microorganisms benefit the host by collecting the energy from the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates and the subsequent absorption of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate, butyrate, and propionate. Intestinal bacteria also play a role in synthesizing vitamin B and vitamin K as well as metabolizing bile acids, sterols, and xenobiotics (a chemical substance found within an organism that is not naturally produced or expected to be present within the organism).
How does eating processed foods impact the balance of gut microbiota?
Diets higher in processed foods and unnatural chemicals can negatively alter the ratios of these species, while diets high in whole foods can positively alter the ratios.
What is one mental health factor that can be impacted by the but-brain connection?
Clinical, epidemiological, and immunological evidence suggest that enteric microbiota extensively and profoundly influences the gut-brain relationship (ie, mental state, emotional regulation, neuromuscular function, and regulation of the HPA).
What is the world's hardest natural material?
A diamond
True or False:
The enteric nervous system is a part of the central nervous system.
False
The enteric nervous system falls under the peripheral nervous system.
What is the gut microbiota?
The gut microbiota is the complex community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract.
What is a probiotic?
Probiotics supply healthy bacteria into the gut and replenishing the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota.
What is the most effective nutrition based way to improve your gut microbiome?
The most effective nutrition-based ways to improve your gut microbiome are increasing fiber and plant diversity
Which blood type is most common?
O+
How much of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your body is actually in your gut rather than your brain?
90%
What is the gut metagenome?
The gut metagenome is the aggregate of all the genomes of gut microbiota.
How many different species are normally present in the human gut microbiome?
In general, the average human has over 1000 species of bacteria in their gut microbiome, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes being the dominant phyla
Name 2 of the best sources of prebiotics.
Top sources include chicory root, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, oats, and apples.
What is the world’s tallest building?
The Burj Khalifa
What is the name of the portion of the nervous system that regulates GI function and motility?
Enteric Nervous System
Which gut microbe is beneficial and involved in the production of vitamin K2, but can also lead to illness?
Escherichia Coli
Name one of the dominant phyla of bacteria in your gut microbiome.
Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes being the dominant phyla.
What is a psychobiotic or psychomicrobiotic?
A new class of probiotics, known as psychobiotics or psychomicrobiotics, has emerged in the last decade and is being fervently embraced by many health care practitioners as a nontoxic intervention for various psychiatric conditions. In a 2017 systematic review by Wallace and Milev of 10 clinical trials, most of the studies found positive results on measures of depressive symptoms. Because clinical trials on probiotics for depression and anxiety have been heterogeneous in terms of dosing, probiotic strain selection, and length of treatment, further randomized controlled clinical trials are warranted to validate the efficacy of this promising intervention.
Which poet wrote the line, "'Hope is the thing with feathers'"?
Emily Dickenson