Microbiology and Immunology 2500A/B Lecture Notes - Human Microbiota, Animal Husbandry, Microbiota
3 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Humans evolved: added the diet of raw & fermented meat, plants. There has been no change in the human genome while the human microbiome has evolved and it is 150 times larger gene pool of microbes than the human genome. Our diet consists of processed and mass- produced foods; the water & food chains has been contaminated by chemicals. We have a special immune system, special brains, special hands but the guts have been ordinary. Large intestine ferments whatever plant material is left over for tens of millions of years. These ordinary guts have tended to be filled with fruit & leaves. As the gut bacteria met up with our agricultural diets, it began to compete with new microbial species that helped us live off wheat, barley, corn, rice, milk & sea weed. It will impact agriculture, livestock breeding & bioprocessing. Produce crops resistant to diseases, insects & droughts. Farm animals becoming healthier, more productive & more disease resistant.
