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The gut microbiome: balancing the body

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6 Quiz

We hope that you have enjoyed studying about the fascinating subject of the gut microbiome! Below are a series of questions for you to assess your understanding and knowledge gained while studying this OpenLearn course.

Question 1 Microbiomes

Select from the drop-down lists to complete the following paragraph.

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Question 2 Bacterial profiles

Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the most abundant bacteria in the gut microbiome

Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the most abundant bacteria in the gut microbiome

An individual’s unique community of bacterial groups is known as their enterotype

Most individuals have a similar profile of bacteria in their gut microbiomes

The correct answers are a and c.

Question 3 Functions of the gut microbiome

Protect against dysbiosis

Destroy colorectal cancer cells

Regulate appetite

Reduce obesity

Provide energy for the body and other microbiota

Communicate with the brain

The correct answers are a, b, c, d, e and f.

Question 4 Dysbiosis

There are three main mechanisms which cause dysbiosis. Select from the drop-down lists to describe each mechanism.

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Question 5 Health

Several health conditions have been linked to dysbiosis, and a change in diversity of the microorganisms of the gut microbiome. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes is thought to be particularly important in health. Drag the correct statement to the matching description.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

Balanced ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes
Increase in Firmicutes compared to Bacteroidetes
Increase in Bacteroidetes relative to Firmicutes

Match each of the previous list items with an item from the following list:

a.Individual with Crohn’s disease
b.Obese individual
c.Healthy individual

The correct answers are:

1 = c,
2 = b,
3 = a

Question 6 Exercise

Certain metabolites made by the gut microbiome have been linked to increased motivation to exercise

Certain metabolites made by the gut microbiome have been linked to improved exercise performance

The bacterial species Veillonella has been shown to increase the amount of lactate athletes can tolerate

The benefits of exercise on microbiome health are pronounced in childhood

Exercise is known to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and Crohn’s disease

The correct answers are a, b, c, d and e.

Question 7 Obesity

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition linked to a wide range of genetic and non-genetic factors, including environmental, lifestyle, socioeconomic and psychological factors. Select from the drop-down lists to complete the following paragraph.

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Question 8 Medications

Select the answer for

Question 8 Medications

here

Antibiotics are given for the treatment of bacterial infections and have undoubtably saved millions of lives worldwide. The graph below shows research investigating gut bacterial diversity before and after taking a course of antibiotics. The key in the graph indicates the type of antibiotic used.

Figure 32 Antibiotic perturbation of gut microbiomes in healthy volunteers

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This figure shows a graph. On the X axis are days running from -14 days to +6 days. The Y axis shows species richness, starting at 25 and going up to 55. There are four different coloured lines showing the effects on species richness when taking four different antibiotics. The antibiotic Azithromycin is shown as a blue line, with the species richness remaining stable at approximately 53 until day zero when the antibiotics are started. The line then declines to a species richness of approximately 40 by day 6. The antibiotic Cefpodoxime is shown by a red line, with the species richness remaining stable at just under 50 until day zero when the antibiotics are started. The line then declines to a species richness of approximately 45 by day 6. The antibiotic Levofloxacin is shown by a green line, with the species richness dipping down to about 45 at day -7, increasing slightly to approximately 50 at day zero, and then declining to a species richness of approximately 40 by day 6. Finally, Azithromycin and Cefpodoxime combined treatment is represented by a purple line. This species richness before antibiotic treatment remained around the 50 mark, but following initiation of treatment at day 0 there is a rapid decline to a species richness of approximately 30.

Figure 32 Antibiotic perturbation of gut microbiomes in healthy volunteers

Looking at the graph, which of the following statements is correct?

The lines on the graph suggest that antibiotic use does not seem to impact bacterial diversity

Prior to antibiotic use, species richness fluctuates but remains below 45

Three days after antibiotic use, species richness has decreased

Six days after antibiotic use, species richness has returned to normal levels

The lines on the graph suggest that antibiotic use does not seem to impact bacterial diversity

Prior to antibiotic use, species richness fluctuates but remains below 45

Three days after antibiotic use, species richness has decreased

Six days after antibiotic use, species richness has returned to normal levels

The correct answer is c.

Question 9 Age

The graph below illustrates gut microdiversity over a typical human lifespan. The graph explores stability (i.e. whether the gut microbiome experiences lots of changes) and also gut diversity (i.e. the proportions of different types of bacteria in the gut microbiome). Look carefully at the graph and then answer the following questions.

Figure 33 Human gut microbiome composition across the life cycle

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This figure shows a graph with ‘microbial diversity’ shown on the X axis, but no numerical values. The Y axis has the word ‘stability’, again with no numerical values. A figure legend in the top left of the graph shows red for actinobacteria, green for bacteroidetes, yellow for firmicutes, blue for proteobacteria and white for other. The graph itself shows 5 pie charts with various proportions of the bacterial groups shown in the legend. The bottom left pie chart labelled ‘neonate’ shows 50% actinobacteria, with the remainder split between proteobacteria, firmicutes and other. An arrow then leads to the next pie chart labelled ‘infant’, which is further along both the microbial diversity and stability axes. Approximately 60% of the pie chart is firmicutes in yellow, with the remainder a mix of the other bacterial groups. Next along the microbial diversity but with reduced stability is a pie chart for ‘elderly’. Just over 50% is bacteroidetes, 40% approximately firmicutes and the remainder is a mix. On the far right of the microbial diversity X axis is a pie chart for ‘child’, with the majority of the pie chart shown as firmicutes. Just above the child pie chart with the same microbial diversity, but this time with increased stability is the ‘adult’ pie chart which again shows the highest proportion of firmicutes.

Figure 33 Human gut microbiome composition across the life cycle

From examining the graph, determine whether the following statements are true or false.

True

False

The correct answer is b.

True

False

The correct answer is a.

True

False

The correct answer is a.

Question 10 Diet

A balanced diet helps provide nutrients for the gut microbiome and the host. Select from the drop-down lists to describe the following food items.

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Now consider the diets which typically incorporate these food items, and complete the sentences below.

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6 Quiz

Question 1 Microbiomes

Question 2 Bacterial profiles

Question 2 Bacterial profiles

Question 3 Functions of the gut microbiome

Question 3 Functions of the gut microbiome

Question 4 Dysbiosis

Question 5 Health

Question 6 Exercise

Question 6 Exercise

Question 7 Obesity

Question 8 Medications

Question 8 Medications

Question 9 Age

Question 5a

Question 5b

Question 5c

Question 10 Diet