Brock Biology Of Microorganisms 17th Edition -

Microorganisms also play a crucial role in human health. The human microbiome, which consists of trillions of microorganisms living in and on our bodies, is essential for maintaining our health. Microbes in the gut, for example, help to break down food, absorb nutrients, and produce vitamins. An imbalance of the microbiome, also known as dysbiosis, has been linked to various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and mental health disorders. As stated in Brock Biology of Microorganisms, "the human microbiome is a complex ecosystem that plays a critical role in our health and disease" (Madigan et al., 2020).