Evolution of the human oral microbiome

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/evolution-of-the-human-oral-microbiome

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Human oral microbiome (a complex, multi-species microbial community)
2. What is the habitat?The oral cavity of Homo sapiens and its hominid ancestors, distributed globally
3. What tiny creatures live in my mouth?Your mouth is home to trillions of tiny microbes, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses.
4. Why do some bacteria in my mouth help me stay healthy?Beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus and Actinomyces help break down food, support your immune system, and keep harmful germs from taking over.

Co-evolution: The process where two or more species reciprocally influence each other's evolution over time.
Dysbiosis: An imbalance in the microbial community, often associated with disease or adverse health conditions.
Paleomicrobiology: The study of ancient microbial life, often through analysis of DNA from fossilized or preserved remains.