Gut Brain Axis

The primary role of the gut–brain axis is to

• provide a habitat for gut microbiota.

• adjust the composition of the gut microbiota.

• manage stress-induced changes in the gut and brain.

• provide communication pathways between the brain and digestive tract.

The term _____ is commonly used to refer to the entire population of gut mirobiota

• microorganisms

• gut microbiome

• enterotype

• gut dysbiosis

(a)   nervous system: a major division of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord, which receives neural messages from and transmits neural messages to the peripheral nervous system

(a)   nervous system: the network of nerves in the gut and is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system

Which of the following statements about gut microbiota is correct?

• Gut microbiota are dead microorganisms.

• The combination of gut microbiota in any individual is fixed.

• Each individual has a unique combination of gut microbiota.

• Gut microbiota can influence gut activity but not brain activity.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

Disruption to the gut–brain axis has been linked to which of the following types of disorders?

• neurological

• mental health

• gastrointestinal

• All of the above are correct.

Which of the following statements about the gut–brain axis and stress is not correct?

• Stress can disturb the balance of gut microbiota.

• Gut microbiota can influence stress responses.

• The gut microbiome tends to be relatively unaffected by stress.

• There are bidirectional links between the gut microbiota and stress.

(a)   nerve: the longest cranial nerve that connects the gut and the brain, enabling them to communicate

In which direction are the information transferred by the nerves?

• from the brain to the gut

• in both directions

• from the gut to the brain

• information is not transferred through the nerves