Gut flora

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/gut-flora

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 microbial diversity?The gut microbiota contains thousands of species, vastly outnumbering human genes
2. What is the gut-brain axis?Bidirectional communication pathway influencing neurological and psychological health
3. What are the tiny helpers that live in my tummy called?They are called gut microbes or gut microbiota. They are bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live mostly in the large intestine.
4. Why do we need these tiny helpers?They help break down food we can't digest, produce vitamins, and train our immune system to stay healthy.

Microbiome: The collective genetic material of microorganisms in a specific environment, like the gut.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): Metabolites produced by gut bacteria from fiber fermentation, vital for host health.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT): Transferring fecal matter from a healthy donor to a recipient to restore microbial balance.