Your body is an incredible system made up of many parts, including cells, which are the basic building blocks of life. But did you know that for every one of your cells, there are about ten tiny organisms living on and inside you? These microorganisms are crucial to your life, and together they form something called the microbiome. In fact, there are around 100 trillion of these microorganisms with you right now, gathered from various places throughout your life. So, when you think about what makes you “you,” remember that it’s just a small part of the whole picture.
These microorganisms have about 22 million genes of their own. They help with many processes in your body, like digesting food, keeping your immune system strong, and even controlling when you feel hungry or full. They also produce chemicals that can affect your stress levels. For example, mice that grow up in completely clean environments without these microorganisms don’t handle stress as well as normal mice.
Have you ever heard of a fecal transplant? It sounds strange, but it’s a real medical treatment. Some illnesses are caused by a lack of diversity in the microbiome, making people more prone to infections. Research shows that transferring healthy gut bacteria from one person to another can treat these diseases better than antibiotics. Scientists have also found that when obese mice receive microbiomes from lean mice, they lose weight more effectively, even if their diet stays the same. This shows how important these microorganisms are to our health.
Interestingly, while your own cells make up a small part of your body, you can actually change the other 90%—your microbiome. Unlike the genes you inherit from your parents, your diet has a big impact on your microbiome. Eating foods with prebiotics and probiotics can introduce new, healthy bacteria that help your existing ones thrive. On the other hand, processed foods can harm these beneficial bacteria because of the chemicals used to kill harmful ones.
In many Western countries, people tend to have less diverse microbiomes compared to cultures that eat mostly whole foods. This is likely due to a diet high in processed foods and the use of antibacterial products and antibiotics. This might also explain why allergies and autoimmune diseases are more common in Western cultures.
So, while you might be thinking about who you are, remember that you have some control over this complex ecosystem of cells. By feeding your microscopic partners with a healthy diet, they will support your health—at least the 10% of you that is actually you.
Special thanks to Little Bits for supporting this episode of ASAP Science. Little Bits are modular building blocks that make it easy to prototype and learn with electronics. They offer a range of products suitable for everyone, whether you’re a musician, programmer, gadget enthusiast, or home project lover. You can check them out at littlebits.com and use the promo code ASAP to receive $20 off any order over $80. When you receive your order, be sure to share your designs and projects with us on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe for more weekly science videos.
Research and create a presentation on the human microbiome. Focus on its role in digestion, immunity, and mental health. Use visuals to illustrate how these microorganisms interact with the human body. Present your findings to the class to enhance your understanding and communication skills.
Track your diet for a week and research how different foods affect the microbiome. Identify foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics and incorporate them into your meals. Document any changes you notice in your digestion or energy levels, and share your observations with your classmates.
Participate in a class debate on the impact of the microbiome on health. Divide into teams to argue for or against the importance of maintaining a diverse microbiome. Use scientific evidence to support your arguments and develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Write a short story from the perspective of a microorganism living in the human body. Describe its daily activities, interactions with other microbes, and its role in maintaining the host’s health. Share your story with the class to explore the microbiome creatively.
Create an art piece that represents the human microbiome. Use different materials and colors to depict the diversity and complexity of microorganisms. Display your artwork in the classroom to celebrate the unseen world within us and appreciate the role of art in science communication.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] Your body is made up of many components, including cells, which are integral building blocks of what makes you, you. However, for every single cell in your body, there are roughly ten more microscopic organisms that are essential to your life. There is a unique collage of around 100 trillion microorganisms living on and in you right now, which you’ve picked up through various means throughout your life. This means that what you consider to be “you” is only a tiny fraction of the totality of what truly makes you up. We refer to this collection as the microbiome.
These microorganisms contain approximately 22 million genes of their own DNA, which not only allow them to survive but also control hundreds of processes in your body. They assist in digesting food, maintaining a healthy immune system, and even regulating hunger and feelings of fullness. If you’re feeling stressed, they produce chemicals that can influence that as well. In fact, mice raised in sterile environments, which do not acquire these microorganisms, are less effective at responding to stress than normal mice.
You may have heard of a fecal transplant; it’s a real medical procedure. Some diseases are actually caused by a lack of diversity in the microbiome, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Research has shown that transplanting cultures from a healthy person’s gut to a sick person’s gut can treat these diseases more effectively than antibiotics.
Scientists have also discovered that when obese mice receive microbiomes from lean mice, they lose weight more effectively, even when their diets remain unchanged. These organisms are so significant that in the future, doctors may diagnose based on your microbiome rather than just your own cells.
Interestingly, even though your own cells represent a small proportion of your body, you can actually change the other 90%. Unlike the genetics passed down from your parents, everything you eat affects your microbiome. Foods containing prebiotics and probiotics, for example, introduce new and healthy bacteria that help the existing ones thrive. Conversely, processed foods can harm beneficial bacteria due to the chemicals used to eliminate harmful ones.
In fact, the Western world tends to have less diversity in their microbiomes compared to cultures that primarily consume whole foods. This is attributed to a diet higher in processed foods, along with the use of antibacterial products and antibiotics. This may also explain the higher incidences of allergies and autoimmune diseases in Western cultures.
So, while you may be contemplating your identity, remember that you have control over this complex ecosystem of cells. If you nourish your microscopic partners with a good diet, they will support your health—at least the 10% of you that is actually you.
Special thanks to Little Bits for supporting this episode of ASAP Science. Little Bits are modular building blocks that make it easy to prototype and learn with electronics. They offer a range of products suitable for everyone, whether you’re a musician, programmer, gadget enthusiast, or home project lover. You can check them out at littlebits.com and use the promo code ASAP to receive $20 off any order over $80. When you receive your order, be sure to share your designs and projects with us on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe for more weekly science videos. [Music]
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while conveying the same information.
Cells – The basic structural, functional, and biological units of all living organisms. – Example sentence: In biology class, we learned that human cells contain a nucleus, which houses the DNA.
Microbiome – The collection of all the microorganisms living in association with the human body. – Example sentence: Scientists are studying how the gut microbiome affects our overall health and digestion.
Microorganisms – Microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that can exist as single cells or cell clusters. – Example sentence: Microorganisms play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter in ecosystems.
Health – The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. – Example sentence: Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining good health.
Diet – The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. – Example sentence: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Bacteria – Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent organisms or as parasites. – Example sentence: Some bacteria in our intestines help digest food and produce vitamins.
Antibiotics – Medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. – Example sentence: Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat.
Immune – Relating to the body’s ability to resist harmful microorganisms or viruses. – Example sentence: Vaccinations help strengthen the immune system by preparing it to fight specific pathogens.
Diversity – The variety of different species or genetic variations within a particular environment or ecosystem. – Example sentence: Biodiversity in an ecosystem can contribute to its resilience and stability.
Stress – A physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation. – Example sentence: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to illnesses.
