Microbes living in and on the body perform bene�cial functions that help keep us healthy. Explore Your Microbial Friends (on Learn.Genetics) and record important information about each function.

Microbes play a part in Nutrition by:

Microbes boost Immunity by:

Microbes Protect us from Infection by:

Teach.Genetics.utah.eduGENETIC SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER

Your Microbial Friends - Beneficial Functions

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Microbes Maintain Protective Barriers by:

Microbes help these Organs Develop:

Microbes Protect us from Toxins by:

© 2013 University of Utah your microbial friends - beneficial functions 2

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Microbes living in and on the body perform bene�cial functions that help keep us healthy. Explore Your Microbial Friends (on Learn.Genetics) and record important information about each function.

Microbes play a part in Nutrition by:

Microbes boost Immunity by:

Microbes Protect us from Infection by:

Teach.Genetics.utah.eduGENETIC SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER

Your Microbial Friends - Beneficial Functions

NAME

DATE

© 2013 University of Utah your microbial friends - beneficial functions 1

1

2

3

WHERE?HOW?

1

2

WHERE?HOW?

1

2

3

WHERE?HOW?

Producing vitamins that we can’t. gut (large intestine)

Controlling metabolism and nutrient storage gut (and in the bloodstream)

Extracting nutrients, by breaking down foods that we can’t. gut (intestines)

Decreasing inflammation gut

Training the immune system (by stimulating surrounding tissues to produce antibodies)

gut

Competing with other microbes for resources and keeping them out (creating a biofilm)

sinuses

Producing anti-microbials skin

Changing abiotic factors / environmental factors. (making the environment too acidic for other microbes to grow)

vaginavagina

Microbes Maintain Protective Barriers by:

Microbes help these Organs Develop:

Microbes Protect us from Toxins by:

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WHERE?HOW?

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© 2013 University of Utah your microbial friends - beneficial functions 2

Keeping skin supple (by breaking down skin oils into natural moisturizers)

skin

Promoting healing (by signaling other cells to divide after nearby cells are damaged).

gut (intestines)

Maintaining tissue integrity (by producing an energy source for cells that also strengthens connections between cells)

gut (lower gastrointestinal tract)

Brain

Lymphatic System and Capillaries

Keeping toxins from other bacteria from passing through the intestinal wall in to the bloodstream

gut (and bloodstream)