Biology / Unit 9 Bio 1971 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Human Microbiome
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The idea
The human microbiome is the community of prokaryotes inhabiting the skin and digestive tract, aiding digestion, producing nutrients, and helping train the immune system.
In practice
Gut bacteria help digest food and produce certain vitamins that the human body cannot synthesize on its own.
Where people slip
Disrupting this community, such as with heavy antibiotic use, can let a harmful species like Clostridium difficile overgrow unchecked.
Your place on the trail
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