Estrobolome: “The complete set of bacterial genes that code for enzymes capable of
metabolizing estrogens within the human intestine.”
(themixuab.blogspot.com/2012/11/gut-bugs-relationship-with-estrogen.html)
Etiology of autism: “Multiple theories about to explain the increase in autism cases,
including toxins in food, water and air; exposure to chemicals and pesticides during
pregnancy; and particular characteristics of the fathers...My theory rests on the fact that
gut microbes are involved in early brain development...Extensive studies point to
abnormal serotonin levels in the blood of autistic children.” (Blaser 2015)
H. pylori : A bacterium found usually in the stomach. “As H. pylori is disappearing,
stomach cancer is falling, but esophageal carcinoma is rising. It is a classic case of
amphibiosi...H. pylori-induced immune cell populations protect against
asthma...Could subclinical unrecognized cases of GERD caused by the lack of H.
pylori be driving the asthma epidemic?” (Blaser 2015)
Lactobacill us: A bacteria that makes the vaginal canal more acidic.
Microbe: The many types of microbes include: prokaryotes, archaea, eukaryotes, fungi,
primitive algae, some amoeba, and slime molds.
Pathogen: A microbe that makes you ill, popularly known as a “germ.”
Plastisphere: “A term used to refer to ecosystems that have evolved to live in human-
made plastic environments.” (Wikipedia 2016). “Recently, bacteria have been found
munching on plastic particles floating in the open ocean. Although a slow process, at
least 1,000 different species are involved in converting this ‘plastisphere’ to a healthier
biosphere.” (Blaser 2015)
Prokaryote: A single celled organism that lacks a nucleus, e.g. bacteria.
Virus: “Viruses are much smaller and simpler [than bacteria]. They require a host.
They can only live within a cell, be it from a human or other animal, plant, or
bacterium.” (Blaser 2015)