Bacteroides Influence on Host Behavior
Introduction
The human gut is colonized by bacteria, around 1013 organisms and between 500 and 1,000 species. Many of these species share a special mutualism with the host, breaking down substrates that host enzymes are not capable of utilizing. A particularly important species in the human gut is Bacteriodes thetaiomicron. B. thetaiomicron is a gram-negative bacteria that is anaerobic, it breaks down polysaccharides from plants into simple sugars and fermentation products. The human host is able to store these fermentation products as energy. This is a useful tool for humans when the amount and type of food available is varied: when it is important to store energy efficiently. However, in the modern western world, our diets have shifted substantially to large-portion, high-calorie meals. This diet results in the benefit of efficient fat storage once facilitated by B. thetaiomicron becoming a detriment: that is, contributing to obesity and a variety of other unhealthy phenomena in the human body.
Mice Exposed to Microbiota Show Increase in Total Body Fat Content
Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.
What this Means for Humans
Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.
Possible Therapeutic Options
Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.
Conclusion
Overall paper length should be 3,000 words, with at least 3 figures.
References
Edited by student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2009, Kenyon College.
