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Article: Microbial Flora of the Stomach and Gastrointestinal Tract
- Article from:
- World of Microbiology and Immunology
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Microbial flora of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract
The stomach and gastrointestinal tract are not sterile and are colonized by
microorganisms
that perform functions beneficial to the host, including the manufacture of essential vitamins, and the prevention of colonization by undesirable microbes.
The benefits of the close relationship between the microorganisms and the host also extends to the microbes. Microorganisms are provided with a protected place to live and their environment
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rich in nutrients
—
and is relatively free from predators.
This mutually beneficial association is always present. At human birth, the stomach and gastrointestinal tract are usually ...