Microorganisms
True or False: All microorganisms are harmful to humans.
False
What is the microbiome?
A community of microorganisms that live in and on an organism
Why do scientists use models when studying the microbiome?
To help explain and test ideas about how microbes affect health
What is a fecal transplant?
A procedure where healthy bacteria are transferred to a sick person’s gut
What happens to the microbiome when a person takes antibiotics?
Antibiotics kill both harmful and helpful bacteria
What are microorganisms?
Living things too small to see without a microscope
Where in the human body can microbiomes be found?
Skin, mouth, and gut
What can a model show that we might not see in real life?
It can show how bacteria grow, change, or interact inside the body
How does a fecal transplant help restore the microbiome?
It replaces lost helpful bacteria so balance can return
Why might two people with the same illness need different treatments?
Each person’s microbiome is unique and responds differently
Give one example of how helpful bacteria support our bodies.
They help digest food in the stomach/intestines
What happens when helpful and harmful bacteria are balanced?
The body stays in good health
How can a model help scientists make predictions?
It helps them guess what might happen when bacteria levels change
What type of evidence shows that fecal transplants can improve health?
Patients’ symptoms often decrease after treatment
What can happen if the microbiome becomes unbalanced?
The immune system weakens and illness can occur
What are two main types of microorganisms that can live in the human body?
Bacteria and fungi
What happens when too many harmful bacteria take over?
The person may become sick
Give one example of something scientists might model about the microbiome.
How antibiotics or transplants change the number of good and bad bacteria
Why might a doctor recommend a fecal transplant instead of antibiotics?
To restore helpful bacteria destroyed by antibiotics
How does evidence from patients help scientists understand the microbiome?
Changes in health after treatment show how microbes affect the body
Explain why the presence of both helpful and harmful bacteria is important.
A balance keeps the body healthy; imbalance can cause sickness
Describe how the microbiome helps protect the human body.
It blocks harmful microbes and supports the immune system
Why do scientists update their models as they collect new evidence?
Because new data helps make models more accurate and closer to real life
Explain how a fecal transplant demonstrates the importance of microbiome balance.
It shows that restoring healthy microbes improves body functions and health
Predict what would happen if a person lost all their gut bacteria.
They would struggle to digest food and absorb nutrients, becoming sick