Our skin has over 200 types of yeast, protozoa, and bacteria on its surface. How do these normal flora act as a protective barrier to pathogens?

What will be an ideal response?


The normal flora are protective mostly because they colonize our external body surfaces and take up space so that it cannot be occupied by pathogens. In other words, they deter more dangerous species from colonizing (and penetrating) body surfaces by competing for space and resources.

Biology & Microbiology

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Which enzyme breaks down polysaccharides?

a. sucrase b. amylase c. maltase d. lactase

Biology & Microbiology

The portion of a mycorrhizal fungus that penetrates the cell walls of the root cortex is called an

arbuscule. ____________________ Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Biology & Microbiology

Neurotransmitters like acetylcholine 

A. are manufactured in the synapse. B. permanently attach to neuronal membranes. C. are always present in the synapse. D. stimulate neurons.

Biology & Microbiology

The proposition that the mitochondria in our cells descended from engulfed bacteria is called the ________ theory

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Biology & Microbiology