Gut Bacteria, Article Writing Example

Video #1, entitled Our Microbes, Ourselves: Gut Bacteria’s Key Role in Immunity Is Tuned to the Host Species explores the possible role that bacteria play in the human immune system. An experiment is summarized, concluding that the bacteria in our gut has evolved a symbiotic relationship, and that the relationship is critical in maintaining a healthy immune system. Furthermore, the symbiotic gut-bacteria is species-specific: human gut-bacteria doesn’t help mice, nor do rat gut-bacteria help mice. Video #2, Tipping Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, also discusses human gut-bacteria, obviously firmicutes and bacteroidetes, and how veggie nutrients called polyphenols feed the latter but not the former. More bacteroidetes are found in bony people, while more firmicutes are found in fat ones. But the videos are just topic introductions.

The PowerPoint presentation (PPP), entitled Molecular Basis of Life, has little in common with the general-audience lessons found in the videos, as it deals with the microscopic details of the bacteria themselves. For example, Video #1 mentions that mice were “challenged” with salmonella. On slide #27, the PPP lists salmonella as one of the gram-negative organisms the viewer will have to learn, as well as eight different gram-positive bacteria categorized as firmicutes. (Bacteroidetes are “Others”.) Panel #38’s drawing simplifies gut immunological equilibrium and disequilibrium. Panel #40 cites bacteroidetes in the gut. Panel #42 lists three bacteria that may be helpful for allergies, which are a part of immune response.

If the videos inspire viewers to study microbiology, the PPP will be their study guide.