The Microbiome Quiz

A microbiome comprises microorganisms in a specific environment, and it can refer to all the combined genetic material of those organisms, too.

Microbiomes can exist in the atmosphere on or in humans, plants and bodies of water — in other words, just about anywhere.

Estimates vary greatly, but it is likely that bacteria are as at least as numerous as our own cells.

Lederberg was a molecular biologist who won the 1958 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for proving that bacteria reproduce sexually and exchange genes.

When microbiomes are disrupted, there can be a variety of negative consequences, from human diseases to crop damage.

Some scientists see the microbiome very much as an organ, one that must be cared for to preserve human health.

The NMI stresses that much more research must be done so that we can learn to protect and restore microbiomes.

Diverse, robust populations of microbes seem to be a sign of a healthy gut microbiome.

In symbiosis, organisms cooperate and depend on one another for survival; humans need their microbiome to stay alive.

If you could lump them together and put them on a scale, your 1,000 different gut microbes might weigh around 5 pounds (2 kilograms).

The $121 million will be used to investigate all sorts of microbiomes, from humans to soil to the oceans.

The $100 million donation shows that many people consider microbiome research to be one of the most important developing fields in science.

With approximately 3 million genes, no wonder this microbiome is so complex.

We already new that gut microbes were vital, but the NMI adds a higher level of collaboration between the people researching these issues.

It takes about three years for babies to develop a fundamental microbiome, which will continue to change throughout their lives.

Poop enemas (or fecal transplants) have proved to be surprisingly effective in helping to restore proper microbiota in many ill people.

About 30,000 Americans die yearly from the infections. The bacterial overload can cause terrible diarrhea but may be combated with antibiotics or, in some cases, fecal transplants that balance gut microbes.

The organization collects stool samples from donors. The samples are used for fecal transplants that can save the lives of people suffering from gut infections.

Most still support the intelligent use of antibiotics, but they stress that antibiotics upset the balance of microbes in the body.

Antibiotics may contribute to microbe imbalances that result in gut diseases, and they may take a wider toll on the body, too.

Kimchi, yogurt, yams, bananas and brown rice can make gut microbes healthier.

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in many household products, and it may cause significant disruptions in gut bacteria, leading to health problems.

Vaginal birth adds microbes to a baby's microbiome that a C-section delivery does not.

They swabbed the babies with fluids from the mother's birth canal. The study showed that there were tremendous differences between swabbed and unswabbed babies.

Along with fungi and bacteria, single-celled microorganisms (archaea) make up the human microbiome.

Unborn babies may have the worst consequences from triclosan, as the chemical interferes with their developing microbiomes.

The complexity of the human microbiome is underlined by the fact that scientists aren't quite sure why fecal transplants work.

The five-year project essentially jump-started the investigation into the effect microbiomes have on health.

The failed trials were a surprise inside the science world and on the stock market, as the company's stock dropped sharply once the news was announced.

The project hopes to analyze 200,000 samples of sand, soil, water and other samples to get a better understanding of how microbial interactions shape our world.