Normal Microbiota

Question

Normal microbiota
A) are only found in the digestive tract.
B) protect us from disease by crowding out "bad" invading bacteria.
C) are only found on small select parts of our bodies.
D) always cause disease when growing on our bodies.
E) play no role in our general health.

Accepted Answer

Normal microbiota help protect us from disease by crowding out potentially harmful invasive bacteria, making it more difficult for these bacteria to establish themselves in our bodies. Normal microbiota are found on many different parts of our bodies, including the skin, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. While they can sometimes cause disease if they become overgrown or move to the wrong part of the body, they generally play a beneficial role in our health.