 MIDDLE
SCHOOL KIT:
Activity 1
Bacteria,
viruses and other microorganisms are found everywhere.They
even cover your skin and large areas of your
gastrointestinal tract. The
microbes normally found on
your skin and in your body
are called "normal
flora." On your skin, they form a protective web
that keeps out contaminants. In your gastrointestinal
tract, they help digest the food you eat. Most of these
bacteria are beneficial, but sometimes they can cause
disease when your natural defenses are low.
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Normal
Flora, Part One
© Peter Baker, author.
Licensed for use,
ASM MicrobeLibrary |
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Normal
Flora, Part Two
© Peter Baker, author.
Licensed for use,
ASM MicrobeLibrary |
What
are the Normal Flora?
Almost 200 different kinds of bacteria make
their homes in and on your body. Here are a few of
them.
On
the Skin...
Your skin is 100% covered with bacteria and other
microbes. Some of the most common are:
Staphylococcus
epidermidis
Corynebacterium sp.
Propionibacterium acnes
In
the Upper Respiratory Tract (nose & sinuses)...
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Haemophilus sp.
Neisseria sp.
In
the Mouth & Throat...
Streptococcus mitis
Streptococcus salivarius
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Escherichia
coli
Spirochetes
In
the Stomach...
Few bacteria can survive the acid environment, so your stomach normally does
not support colonies of bacteria.
In
the Intestines...
Many different bacteria colonize your small and
large intestines, including:
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactobacillus
sp.
Staphylococcus aureus
Enterococcus faecalis
Bacteroides sp.
Clostridium sp.
Escherichia coli
Billions
of Bacteria!
Do you know how many cells there are in your
body? Billions and billions of them. But you may be
carrying around 10 times as many bacteria cells as
you are body cells.
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