Inside the brain, tyrosine and tryptophan are then converted into dopamine and serotonin. Serotonin is a significant signalling molecule within the gut-brain axis. Not only is it crucial for everyday intestinal functions such as coordinating contractions that transport food through the digestive tract, but also in sleep, appetite, mood, pain-sensitivity and general well-being.
In a study, for instance, a French research group showed that a mixture of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum, given for 30 days, heavily improved healthy volunteer scores in a range of studies that assessed their mental health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis could thus potentially explain why studies have further indicated that probiotics improve the moods of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Other research has suggested that the microbiota-gut-brain axis may influence the development of CNS pathways involved in stress response. A well-known study led a decade ago by Nobuyuki Sudo involved restraining GF mice in a narrow tube for an hour, measuring their stress hormone output.
The GF mice responded with significantly higher levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone in comparison to control mice. Moreover, by treating the mice with the bacterium Bifidobacterium infantis, more normal hormonal responses were induced. This was the first study to confirm a direct link between intestinal microbes and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA stress response.
The gastrointestinal tract is the most researched and recognised location of the human microbiome. Indeed, much of this essay has been discussing the advantages of the symbiotic relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the host. Nonetheless, it is important not to underestimate the significance of other microbiotas. According to research by leading Metronidazole online providers, imbalances in the microbiota can result in bacterial vaginosis BV , one of the most common gynaecological conditions affecting women around the world.
Particularly interesting is the fact that weeks before a woman gives birth, the microbes in the birth canal begin to change. Scientists predict that this is to ensure that babies are born with the correct microbiome composition needed to grow and develop.
These microbes are crucial in the growing infant. In turn, these microbes rapidly multiply and colonise niches that could otherwise be claimed by harmful pathogens. The oral cavity is another significant microbiome, consisting of several microenvironments that harbour diverse beneficial bacterial populations, including the tongue, the hard and soft palate, teeth and gums. The warm and moist environment in the mouth enables the growth of many microorganisms, offering host-derived nutrients such as saliva, proteins and glycoproteins.
A relatively newly discovered strain of bacteria, A12, has been shown to prevent tooth decay by targeting Streptococcus mutans, an anaerobic bacterium found to be a significant contributor to tooth decay. A12 produces hydrogen peroxide which subsequently targets the cell walls of S. Secondly, A12 inhibits two intracellular signalling pathways of the pathogen, leaving the bacterium unable to settle into a biofilm due to the inability to send and receive chemical messages.
In conclusion, the microbiota-host relationships discussed throughout this article are the product of thousands of years of coevolution. Research has indicated that microorganisms serve many beneficial functions in the human body; they are involved in the fermentation of indigestible food, synthesis of vitamins and indeed protection against harmful pathogens.
Although there is constant research into destroying microorganisms, it is of great value to consider whether such treatments are in fact harming beneficial microbiota, for it is certain that humans could not have evolved to their current sophistication without the microorganisms living within the human body. Alina is a sixth form student studying in London, looking to study medicine at university.
In her free time she enjoys playing tennis and netball, and is playing tennis at county level. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign me up for the newsletter! Don't worry will send you cool content only a few times a month! Skip to content. Fermentation of Indigestible Food The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a complex microbial community that is characterised by its extensive diversity and complex interactions.
Synthesising Vitamins Vitamins are inorganic compounds that are essential for the maintenance of good health and metabolism. Colonisation Resistance Interestingly, one of the key ways in which the microbes in the gut protect the human body is by occupying spaces that could otherwise be colonised by harmful pathogens. Other Significant Microbiotas The gastrointestinal tract is the most researched and recognised location of the human microbiome. Bibliography Goldenberg Suzanne The Guardian.
Planet Earth is home to 8. HarperCollins Publishers. I contain Multitudes, pp Enders Giulia Scribe Publications.
Gaskins Rex et al. Impact of the intestinal microbiota on the development of mucosal defense. Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health.
Formation of propionate and butyrate by the human colonic microbiota. Contributions of intestinal bacteria to nutrition and metabolism in the critically ill. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Advanced Biology pp Donohoe R. For example there is also a bacterium in the gut which helps in synthesizing the vitamins like biotin, vitamin K and folic acid. Biotechnology:- Biotechnology is one field which ha made use of microorganisms most. By using the techniques of biotechnology, scientists have succeeded in developing human insulin, growth hormones and other useful components of the body.
Biotechnological processes use microorganisms for the drug delivery in the form of vectors and plasmids. Microorganisms have provided many beneficial things to agriculture as they are responsible for increasing the fertility of the soil. Due to this, the production of the plants increases and economy becomes strong. Ecology:- Bacteria present in the environment are responsible for recycling wastes and for producing energy sources like carbon and nitrogen. Plants use carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis.
More the consumption of carbon dioxide will lead to more production of food. Some bacteria also help in cleaning the environment by digesting the pollutants and as a result they release nutrients which are environment friendly.
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Bacteria and viruses are the key components of the vaccines that prevent the spread of once-deadly diseases like smallpox. Today microorganisms allow us to artificially grow helpful substances such as insulin and human growth hormones, and reprogrammed viruses are frequently used as drug-delivery mechanisms. Applications of microorganisms in our world are constantly being studied.
Certain fungi have been theorized to have anti-cancer properties, and the CRISPR Cas9 gene found in certain types of bacteria is currently being used as a gene-editing tool. Viruses have the potential to act as the future of nanotechnology, and bacteria are currently being tested as the core component of self-repairing concrete that could revolutionize infrastructure and the way we build buildings.
Blake Flournoy is a writer, reporter, and researcher based out of Baltimore, MD. Working independently and alongside professors at Goucher College, they have produced and taught a number of educational programs and workshops for high school and college students in the Baltimore area, finding new ways to connect students to biology, psychology, and statistics. They have never seen Seinfeld and are deathly scared of wasps.
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