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Related Concept Videos

Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...

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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
07:15

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

Published on: July 31, 2019

Microbial functionality in the human intestinal tract.

Anne Salonen1, Airi Palva, Willem M de Vos

  • 1Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Epidemiology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland. anne.salonen@helsinki.fi

Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|March 11, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human gut microbes significantly impact host physiology through co-metabolism. Understanding these interactions and gut microbial ecosystem functions, including effects of probiotics and prebiotics, is crucial for health.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Physiology
  • Metabolic Interactions

Background:

  • Intestinal microbes and human hosts engage in complex metabolic interactions.
  • Microbial metabolic capacity extends host functions, influencing physiology via co-metabolism.
  • A comprehensive understanding of gut microbial ecosystem composition and function is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on the intestinal ecosystem.
  • To focus on ecological aspects, including probiotic and prebiotic effects.
  • To address post-genomics approaches for discovering bacterial functionality.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on the intestinal ecosystem.
  • Focus on ecological principles and microbial-host metabolic interactions.
  • Discussion of post-genomics methodologies for functional analysis.

Main Results:

  • Human physiology is significantly shaped by co-metabolism with intestinal microbes.
  • Probiotics and prebiotics have anticipated ecological effects within the gut.
  • Post-genomics approaches are advancing the discovery of microbial functions.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic interactions between gut microbes and hosts are fundamental to human physiology.
  • Further research into the gut microbial ecosystem, including ecological factors and functional genomics, is vital.
  • Understanding human-microbe co-metabolism offers insights into health and disease.