Knowra Gut microbiota Gut microbiota Gut microbiota is the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tracts of humans and other animals. Its members include bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses.
Gut microbial metabolism : The chemical reactions gut microorganisms use to obtain energy and transform dietary and host-derived compounds. These reactions turn otherwise inaccessible substrates into metabolites that influence host physiology.
Intestinal microbiome : The collective genomes and ecological context of microorganisms associated with the intestines. It is often distinguished from gut microbiota, which names the organisms rather than their genes and setting.
Fecal microbiota transplantation : A medical procedure that transfers processed stool from a donor to a recipient to alter intestinal microbial communities. It is an established microbiota-based treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.
Dysbiosis : An alteration in a microbial community associated with a particular state, often health or disease. The term is common in gut research, but definitions and causal interpretations remain contested.
Short-chain fatty acids : Fatty acids, especially acetate, propionate, and butyrate, produced largely by microbial fermentation of dietary fiber. They are prominent products of microbial fiber fermentation and affect intestinal cells and immune signaling.
Human gastrointestinal tract : The organ system that digests food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste in humans. Its distinct regions provide the habitats in which human gut communities live.
Probiotics : Live microorganisms that confer a health benefit when administered in adequate amounts. Unlike whole-community transfer, probiotics usually introduce selected strains with condition-specific evidence.
Human microbiome research : The study of microorganisms and microbial genes associated with the human body. Gut studies are a major part of this broader research program and share its methodological challenges.
Bile acid metabolism : The transformation of bile acids by host enzymes and intestinal microorganisms. Microbes modify bile acids, changing their signaling properties and effects on digestion.
Gut biogeography : The spatial distribution of microbial communities across regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Microbial communities differ between the small intestine, colon, and other gut habitats.
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