BIOL 2051 Study Guide - Microbiota, Human Microbiota, Staphylococcus Epidermidis
Document Summary
Chapter 23- human microflora and nonspecific host defenses. Highly recommended that you read this chapter in the text. Human microflora: humans are colonized by many microbes, normal flora. Commensal (mutualistic) organisms: microbe populations change constantly. Vary with type of tissue and conditions: ph, moisture, other microbes present. Can cause disease if reach abnormal location. Metagenome is a collective genome of all microbes in and on the body. Normal human flora: there are billions of microbial cells living in & on the human body. Sites where bacteria are normally found: skin, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, urogenital tract. Human microflora: skin: skin is difficult to colonize. Dry, salty, acidic, protective oils, lyzozyme: microbes grow mostly in moist areas underarms, genitals, etc, associated with sebaceous (oil) glands and apocrine (sweat) glands (ph 4- 6: factors that affect types of normal flora- weather, age, personal hygiene. Microbes commonly associated with the skin: most are g+ bacteria.
