Flora (microbiology)

In

Microflora are grouped into two categories based on the origin of the microorganism.[3]

• Autochthonous flora. - Bacteria and microorganisms native to the host environment
• Allochthonous flora. - Temporary microorganisms non-native to the host environment

Roles

Microflora is a term that refers to a community of bacteria that exist on or inside the body, and possess a unique ecological relationship with the host.^[4] This relationship encompasses a wide variety of microorganisms and the interactions between microbes. These interactions are often a mutualistic relationships between the host and autochthonous flora. Microflora responsible for harmful diseases are often allochthonous flora.

The modern term is "Microbiome" and include microorganisms that have different roles in ecosystems or hosts, including free-living organisms, or organisms associated to hosts, such animals (including humans) or plants. ^[5]

Projects

In 2008, the National Institutes of Health started the Human Microbiome Project designed to help understand the health implications of human bacterial flora.^[6] Biologists believe that bacterial flora may play some role in disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Additionally, the study of flora can have industrial benefits such as dietary supplements like probiotics. The living microorganisms in probiotics are believed to have positive effects on health, and have been utilized in studies regarding gastrointestinal diseases and allergies.

In 2014, the Earth Microbiome project proposed a broad initiative to identify the diversity and importance of the microbiota in different ecosystems across the planet, including free-living microbiota (in water and terrestrial systems) and host associated-microbiota (associated with plants and animals).^[7]

See also

• Gut microbiota
• Microbiome
• Human microbiome
• List of human microbiota

References