Human Biology

1.19. Bacteria in the Digestive System http://www.ck12.org

FIGURE 1.36

Your intestines are home to trillions of

bacteria.

Vocabulary

• ecosystem: All the living things in an area interacting with all of the non-living parts of the environment.


• vitamin B 12 : Vitamin necessary for healthy nerves.


• vitamin K: Vitamin necessary for blood to clot.

Summary

• Your large intestine is home to trillions of bacteria.


• Bacteria in the large intestine have important roles, such as producing vitamins and controlling the growth of
  harmful bacteria.

Practice

Use the resources below to answer the questions that follow.

• Gut Bacteria: We Are What We Eatat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwTOI5YoqrA (3:56)

MEDIA

Click image to the left for more content.

1. How do bacteria influence our digestion?


2. How does what you eat influence the bacteria of your gut? What two categories, with regard to gut bacteria
   have scientists identified?