Gut Microbiota Essay

Factors Affecting the Composition of the Gut Microbiota
To fully understand the composition of something as complex and diverse as the gut microbiota will require the use of an analogy. Suppose that the microbiota is a taco comprised of many elements that can be thought of as toppings and the condiments used can vary depending on what spices or resources are available at home. Your neighbour’s taco may indeed be a taco but it won’t be the exact replica of your taco in regards to the composition due to the diversity in constituents added. Likewise, there are many factors contributing to the overall diversity of the gut microbiota that is unique to an individual. The presence of external factors is a source of colonization by certain bacterial species and early development of this gut …show more content…
Similarly, the transition to solid foods such as vegetables contain cellulose which in turn are degraded by enzymes provided by the microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These products are used by host cells and act as precursors to trigger other metabolic pathways that are crucial for the conversion of substrates to usable resources of energy. Geographical location is a factor that pertains to notable differences in the microbiota of different populations. Other aspects such as culture, resource availability and hygiene standards can affect the overall composition through the selective pressure placed on species that can thrive in a certain gut environment. Lastly, early exposure to antibiotics can act as an onset to conditions that manifest as diseases in the later stages of adult development. Administered drugs associated with patterns of over-use can lead to compromised immune systems when the composition of the microbiota is disrupted. Infants have higher risks of being susceptible to pre-existing gut bacteria such as C. difficile, which can become opportunistic pathogens when the normal microbiota is disrupted