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A new era in medical science has dawned with the realization of the critical role of the “forgotten organ” - the gut microbiota, in health and disease. Microbiota refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that inhabit a particular environment, such as the human gut. Central to this beneficial interaction between the microbiota and host is the manner in which bacteria and most likely other microorganisms contained within the gut communicate with the host’s immune system and participate in a variety of metabolic processes of mutual benefit to the host and the microbe.
At birth, the entire intestinal tract is sterile; the infant’s gut is first colonized by maternal and environmental bacteria during birth and continues to be populated through feeding and other contacts. By the end of the first year of life, the microbial profile is distinct for each infant; by the age of 2.5 years, the microbiota fully resembles the microbiota of an adult in terms of composition.
Following infancy, the composition of the intestinal microflora remains relatively constant until later life. It has been claimed that the composition of each individual’s flora is so distinctive that it could be used as an alternative to fingerprinting. The microbiota is thought to remain stable until old age when changes are seen, possibly related to alterations in digestive physiology and diet.
In humans, the composition of the microbiota is influenced not only by age but also by diet and socioeconomic conditions. In a recent study of elderly individuals, the interaction of diet and age was demonstrated, firstly, by a close relationship between diet and microbiota composition in the subjects and, secondly, by interactions between diet, the microbiota, and health status.
Antibiotics, whether prescribed or in the food chain as a result of their administration to animals, have the potential to profoundly impact the microbiota. In the past, it was thought that these effects were relatively transient, with complete recovery of the microbiota occurring very soon after the course of antibiotic therapy was complete. However, while recent studies have confirmed that recovery is fairly rapid for many species, some species and strains show more sustained effects.
What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" (click to highlight text) in the context of the passage?
A. An organ within the digestive system that was previously thought to be of little importance to overall health.
B. A vital component of the body that plays a crucial role in health but was historically overlooked by the medical community.
C. A metaphor for the immune system’s interaction with gut bacteria, which has only recently been understood
D. A term referring to the appendix, an organ once thought to have no significant function.
E. A collective term for all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
At birth, the entire intestinal tract is sterile; the infant’s gut is first colonized by maternal and environmental bacteria during birth and continues to be populated through feeding and other contacts. By the end of the first year of life, the microbial profile is distinct for each infant; by the age of 2.5 years, the microbiota fully resembles the microbiota of an adult in terms of composition.
Following infancy, the composition of the intestinal microflora remains relatively constant until later life. It has been claimed that the composition of each individual’s flora is so distinctive that it could be used as an alternative to fingerprinting. The microbiota is thought to remain stable until old age when changes are seen, possibly related to alterations in digestive physiology and diet.
In humans, the composition of the microbiota is influenced not only by age but also by diet and socioeconomic conditions. In a recent study of elderly individuals, the interaction of diet and age was demonstrated, firstly, by a close relationship between diet and microbiota composition in the subjects and, secondly, by interactions between diet, the microbiota, and health status.
Antibiotics, whether prescribed or in the food chain as a result of their administration to animals, have the potential to profoundly impact the microbiota. In the past, it was thought that these effects were relatively transient, with complete recovery of the microbiota occurring very soon after the course of antibiotic therapy was complete. However, while recent studies have confirmed that recovery is fairly rapid for many species, some species and strains show more sustained effects.
What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" (click to highlight text) in the context of the passage?
A. An organ within the digestive system that was previously thought to be of little importance to overall health.
B. A vital component of the body that plays a crucial role in health but was historically overlooked by the medical community.
C. A metaphor for the immune system’s interaction with gut bacteria, which has only recently been understood
D. A term referring to the appendix, an organ once thought to have no significant function.
E. A collective term for all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
19 Sep 2024, 21:22
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Official Solution:
A new era in medical science has dawned with the realization of the critical role of the “forgotten organ” - the gut microbiota, in health and disease. Microbiota refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that inhabit a particular environment, such as the human gut. Central to this beneficial interaction between the microbiota and host is the manner in which bacteria and most likely other microorganisms contained within the gut communicate with the host’s immune system and participate in a variety of metabolic processes of mutual benefit to the host and the microbe.
At birth, the entire intestinal tract is sterile; the infant’s gut is first colonized by maternal and environmental bacteria during birth and continues to be populated through feeding and other contacts. By the end of the first year of life, the microbial profile is distinct for each infant; by the age of 2.5 years, the microbiota fully resembles the microbiota of an adult in terms of composition.
Following infancy, the composition of the intestinal microflora remains relatively constant until later life. It has been claimed that the composition of each individual’s flora is so distinctive that it could be used as an alternative to fingerprinting. The microbiota is thought to remain stable until old age when changes are seen, possibly related to alterations in digestive physiology and diet.
In humans, the composition of the microbiota is influenced not only by age but also by diet and socioeconomic conditions. In a recent study of elderly individuals, the interaction of diet and age was demonstrated, firstly, by a close relationship between diet and microbiota composition in the subjects and, secondly, by interactions between diet, the microbiota, and health status.
Antibiotics, whether prescribed or in the food chain as a result of their administration to animals, have the potential to profoundly impact the microbiota. In the past, it was thought that these effects were relatively transient, with complete recovery of the microbiota occurring very soon after the course of antibiotic therapy was complete. However, while recent studies have confirmed that recovery is fairly rapid for many species, some species and strains show more sustained effects.
What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" (click to highlight text) in the context of the passage?
A. An organ within the digestive system that was previously thought to be of little importance to overall health.
B. A vital component of the body that plays a crucial role in health but was historically overlooked by the medical community.
C. A metaphor for the immune system’s interaction with gut bacteria, which has only recently been understood
D. A term referring to the appendix, an organ once thought to have no significant function.
E. A collective term for all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
A. Incorrect. This option may seem plausible, as it mentions the digestive system, but it is incorrect. The "forgotten organ" refers to the microbiota as a whole, not to a specific organ within the digestive system.
B. Correct Answer. The author uses "forgotten organ" as a metaphor to highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiota, which has historically been overlooked but is now recognized as essential for health.
C. Incorrect. This option misinterprets the phrase. While the immune system's interaction with gut bacteria is discussed in the passage, the term "forgotten organ" specifically refers to the microbiota itself, not just the immune response.
D. Incorrect. This option is misleading. The passage does not refer to the appendix as the "forgotten organ." While the appendix is part of the digestive system, the term here clearly applies to the microbiota.
E. Incorrect. This option is too broad. While the microbiota includes various microorganisms, the passage specifically highlights the gut microbiota, not all microorganisms in the body, as the "forgotten organ."
Answer: B
A new era in medical science has dawned with the realization of the critical role of the “forgotten organ” - the gut microbiota, in health and disease. Microbiota refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that inhabit a particular environment, such as the human gut. Central to this beneficial interaction between the microbiota and host is the manner in which bacteria and most likely other microorganisms contained within the gut communicate with the host’s immune system and participate in a variety of metabolic processes of mutual benefit to the host and the microbe.
At birth, the entire intestinal tract is sterile; the infant’s gut is first colonized by maternal and environmental bacteria during birth and continues to be populated through feeding and other contacts. By the end of the first year of life, the microbial profile is distinct for each infant; by the age of 2.5 years, the microbiota fully resembles the microbiota of an adult in terms of composition.
Following infancy, the composition of the intestinal microflora remains relatively constant until later life. It has been claimed that the composition of each individual’s flora is so distinctive that it could be used as an alternative to fingerprinting. The microbiota is thought to remain stable until old age when changes are seen, possibly related to alterations in digestive physiology and diet.
In humans, the composition of the microbiota is influenced not only by age but also by diet and socioeconomic conditions. In a recent study of elderly individuals, the interaction of diet and age was demonstrated, firstly, by a close relationship between diet and microbiota composition in the subjects and, secondly, by interactions between diet, the microbiota, and health status.
Antibiotics, whether prescribed or in the food chain as a result of their administration to animals, have the potential to profoundly impact the microbiota. In the past, it was thought that these effects were relatively transient, with complete recovery of the microbiota occurring very soon after the course of antibiotic therapy was complete. However, while recent studies have confirmed that recovery is fairly rapid for many species, some species and strains show more sustained effects.
What does the author most likely mean by the term "forgotten organ" (click to highlight text) in the context of the passage?
A. An organ within the digestive system that was previously thought to be of little importance to overall health.
B. A vital component of the body that plays a crucial role in health but was historically overlooked by the medical community.
C. A metaphor for the immune system’s interaction with gut bacteria, which has only recently been understood
D. A term referring to the appendix, an organ once thought to have no significant function.
E. A collective term for all microorganisms in the human body, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
A. Incorrect. This option may seem plausible, as it mentions the digestive system, but it is incorrect. The "forgotten organ" refers to the microbiota as a whole, not to a specific organ within the digestive system.
B. Correct Answer. The author uses "forgotten organ" as a metaphor to highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiota, which has historically been overlooked but is now recognized as essential for health.
C. Incorrect. This option misinterprets the phrase. While the immune system's interaction with gut bacteria is discussed in the passage, the term "forgotten organ" specifically refers to the microbiota itself, not just the immune response.
D. Incorrect. This option is misleading. The passage does not refer to the appendix as the "forgotten organ." While the appendix is part of the digestive system, the term here clearly applies to the microbiota.
E. Incorrect. This option is too broad. While the microbiota includes various microorganisms, the passage specifically highlights the gut microbiota, not all microorganisms in the body, as the "forgotten organ."
Answer: B
