Animal intestines contain a large population of gut flora. In humans, the four dominant phyla are Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. They are essential to digestion and are also affected by food that is consumed. Bacteria in the gut perform many important functions for humans, including breaking down and aiding in the absorption of otherwise indigestible food; stimulating cell growth; repressing the growth of harmful bacteria, training the immune system to respond only to pathogens; producing vitamin B12; and defending against some infectious diseases. COUNT 5
QSN1 What term collectively describes "Firmicutes" and "Bacteroidetes" among others? ANS1 phyla QSN2 What is the importance of having phyla in the body? ANS2 essential to digestion QSN3 Which vitamin are the bacteria present in the gut responsible for producing? ANS3 vitamin B12 QSN4 What role specifically in digestion do bacteria in the gut have? ANS4 breaking down and aiding in the absorption of otherwise indigestible food QSN5 Where could one find a large population of gut flora? ANS5 Animal intestines