Based on What You Know About the Microbiome, Which of the Following

Question

Based on what you know about the microbiome, which of the following statements is most accurate?
A) Once established, a person's microbiome is stable throughout life.
B) Certain familial diseases that appear to be genetic may actually result from bacterial genes as opposed to human genes.
C) Periodically taking antibiotics may help the microbiome grow stronger by killing off harmful bacteria and allowing beneficial bacteria to proliferate.
D) Frequent use of antibacterial cleansers should become a priority so as to minimize exposure to harmful bacteria.

Accepted Answer

The microbiome includes the genetic material of bacteria and other microorganisms, which can impact human health in various ways. Certain diseases that run in families may actually be influenced by the bacterial genes in a person's microbiome, rather than their own human genes. Answers A, C, and D are inaccurate. A person's microbiome can change throughout their lifetime due to factors such as diet, medications, and environmental exposure. While antibiotics may kill off harmful bacteria, they can also disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the microbiome. Frequent use of antibacterial cleansers can actually harm the microbiome by reducing exposure to helpful bacteria and allowing opportunistic pathogens to thrive.