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Ch. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists
Taylor - Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections 10th Edition
Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTaylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th EditionCh. 16 Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and ProtistsProblem 14
Chapter 16, Problem 14

Probiotics, foods and supplements that contain living microorganisms, are thought to cure problems of the digestive tract by restoring the natural balance of its microbial community. Sales of these products total billions of dollars a year. Explore the topic of probiotics and evaluate the scientific evidence for their beneficial effects. A good starting point is the website of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates advertising claims of health benefits of dietary supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements.

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Start by understanding what probiotics are: Probiotics are live microorganisms, often bacteria or yeast, that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They are commonly found in foods like yogurt, fermented products, and dietary supplements.
Research the role of probiotics in the digestive system: Probiotics are thought to help maintain or restore the natural balance of the gut microbiota, which is the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract. This balance can be disrupted by factors such as illness, antibiotics, or poor diet.
Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements) to explore their regulations and guidelines on probiotics. Look for information on how the FDA evaluates health claims made by probiotic products and the scientific evidence required to support these claims.
Evaluate the scientific evidence: Search for peer-reviewed studies or meta-analyses that investigate the effects of probiotics on digestive health. Pay attention to the study design, sample size, and whether the results show a significant and reproducible benefit. Note that the effects of probiotics can vary depending on the strain of microorganism and the condition being treated.
Critically assess the claims made by probiotic products: Compare the health claims on product labels or advertisements with the scientific evidence you have reviewed. Determine whether the claims are supported by rigorous research or if they are exaggerated or unsupported by the FDA's standards.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as 'good' bacteria, that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They are commonly found in fermented foods like yogurt and dietary supplements. Probiotics are believed to help restore the natural balance of gut microbiota, which can be disrupted by factors such as diet, illness, or antibiotic use.

Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is a complex community of trillions of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract. This diverse ecosystem plays a crucial role in digestion, metabolism, and immune function. An imbalance in the gut microbiome can lead to various health issues, including digestive disorders, obesity, and autoimmune diseases, making the study of probiotics particularly relevant.
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Scientific Evidence and Regulation

Scientific evidence refers to data and findings obtained through systematic research and experimentation. In the context of probiotics, evaluating their health benefits requires rigorous clinical studies to substantiate claims. Regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversee the marketing of dietary supplements, ensuring that health claims are supported by credible scientific evidence to protect consumers from misleading information.
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Textbook Question

The bacteria that cause tetanus can be killed only by prolonged heating at temperatures considerably above boiling. This suggests that tetanus bacteria

a. Have cell walls containing peptidoglycan.

b. Secrete endotoxins.

c. Are autotrophic.

d. Produce endospores.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following experiments could test the hypothesis that bacteria cause ulcers in humans? (Assume each experiment includes a control group.) Explain what evidence would be provided by the results of the experiment.

a. Identify the microbes found in the stomachs of ulcer patients.

b. Treat a group of ulcer patients with antibiotics.

c. Place a group of ulcer patients on a strict low-acid diet.

d. Obtain stomach fluid from ulcer patents and feed it to mice.

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Textbook Question

In a process known as 'coral bleaching,' high water temperatures cause corals to expel the dinoflagellates that normally reside within their cells. How might coral bleaching affect coral reefs?

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Textbook Question
Imagine you are on a team designing a moon base that will be self-contained and self-sustaining. Once supplied with building materials, equipment, and organisms from Earth, the base will be expected to function indefinitely. One of the team members has suggested that everything sent to the base be sterilized so that no bacteria of any kind are present. Do you think this is a good idea? Predict some of the consequences of eliminating all bacteria from an environment.
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Textbook Question

The buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere resulting from the burning of fossil fuels is regarded as a major contributor to global warming. Diatoms and other microscopic algae in the oceans counter this buildup by using large quantities of atmospheric CO2 in photosynthesis, which requires small quantities of iron. Experts suspect that a shortage of iron may limit algal growth in the oceans. Some scientists have suggested that one way to reduce CO2 buildup might be to fertilize the oceans with iron. The iron would stimulate algal growth and thus the removal of more CO2 from the air. A single supertanker of iron dust, spread over a wide enough area, might reduce the atmospheric CO2 level significantly. Do you think this approach would be worth a try? Why or why not?

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