Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

71.7K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
71.7K
Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health01:05

Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health

246
The gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, is safeguarded by the intestinal barrier, which consists of secretory, physical, and immune components. At the forefront is the secretory barrier, composed of essential elements such as mucus, gut microbiota, and defense proteins. They collaborate to break down food particles, facilitate nutrient absorption, and maintain optimal gut health. These secretory components ensure the smooth functioning of the...
246
Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

6.5K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
6.5K
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

404
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.
404
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

1.1K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
1.1K
What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

What is Monogastric Digestion?

70.9K
The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
70.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Age-specific early-life gut microbiome associations with eczema and food allergies during early immune development.

Frontiers in microbiomes·2026
Same author

Stool Microbiota, Metabolites, and Fecal Incontinence in Women.

Urogynecology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2026
Same author

Butyrate Regulates the Blood-Brain Barrier Transport and Intraendothelial Accumulation of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-Beta Peptides.

Molecular pharmaceutics·2026
Same author

Sociocultural Aspects of the Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, and Management of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

Gastroenterology·2026
Same author

Compositional and functional differences of gut microbiome and metabolome inform pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease.

Gut microbes·2026
Same author

Gut microbiota gate host exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors from dietary Solanums.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same journal

Heart-Specific Spinal and Vagal Afferents: Transcriptomic Signatures and Optogenetically Modulated Functional Coupling With Cardiomyocytes.

Comprehensive Physiology·2026
Same journal

The Adipose-Organ Communication Network in Clinical Obesity: From Adiposopathy to Systemic Metabolic Failure.

Comprehensive Physiology·2026
Same journal

Insight Into the Biological Link Between Novel Adiposity Indices and Incident Heart Failure.

Comprehensive Physiology·2026
Same journal

Domino Effect of the Kynurenine Pathway: Systemic Homeostasis, Metabolic Crosstalk, and Therapeutic Potential.

Comprehensive Physiology·2026
Same journal

Lung Pericytes: Molecular Mechanisms, Signaling Pathways, and Roles in Pulmonary Diseases.

Comprehensive Physiology·2026
Same journal

Sleep Disturbances and Male Reproductive Dysfunction: Pathophysiological Mechanisms Linking Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Sleep Deprivation.

Comprehensive Physiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.2K

The Human Microbiome-A Physiologic Perspective.

Yang Xiao1, Tijs Louwies1, Ruben A T Mars1

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Comprehensive Physiology
|August 7, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human microbiome, comprising diverse microbes and their genes, dynamically influences host physiology. Its composition varies, making a universal definition of

More Related Videos

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

6.2K
Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems
00:06

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems

Published on: August 23, 2019

6.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.2K
Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

6.2K
Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems
00:06

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems

Published on: August 23, 2019

6.9K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Physiology
  • Host-microbe interactions

Background:

  • The human microbiome includes bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, and viruses, primarily in the digestive and respiratory tracts.
  • Microbial metabolites can influence distant organs even without direct colonization.
  • Microbiome composition is dynamic, influenced by host factors and environment, complicating definitions of 'healthy'.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the physiological functions of microbial metabolites.
  • To discuss the role of the microbiome in the digestive and respiratory systems.
  • To examine microbial metabolite influence on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of human studies on microbiome composition and function.
  • Analysis of microbial gene content and expression dynamics.
  • Investigation of metabolite circulation and effects on host physiology.

Main Results:

  • Microbial metabolites play crucial roles in host physiological functions.
  • Microbiome composition is highly variable and context-dependent.
  • Distinguishing causal microbiome changes from disease consequences is an evolving challenge.

Conclusions:

  • The human microbiome is integral to host physiology, with dynamic and context-dependent characteristics.
  • Understanding the functional impact of microbial metabolites is key to deciphering host-microbe interactions.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the microbiome's role in disease pathogenesis.