What Is Normal Microbiota?

Normal Microbiota are the non-pathogenic bacteria/micro-organisms that reside in or on a human body. They don't normally cause infection, as they live in symbiosis with the human body - unless they are actually an infectious bacteria, but have already been suppressed by the immune system.

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Microbiota also refers to the microfauna and microflora that reside in an ecosystem. This depends on what the ecosystem is - whether a human body or a nature reserve and therefore the microbiota is unique to that ecosystem.

Each person has a unique set of normal flora. Certain levels of substances, and certain toxins in an individual body mean there are different kinds and amounts of bacteria and microbes that thrive in, react to, or live on. A human body will contain around 1013 cells, whereas there are around 1014 cells of bacteria. These bacteria cells constitute roughly a quarter of the weight of fecal matter.

Normal flora are there to help protect the body from highly pathogenic organisms. They compete with invading pathogens for space and sustenance, as well producing compounds that kill bad bacteria.

The only negative that comes with normal microbiota is that if they happen to escape from their normal habitat, they can cause complications in other parts of the body. For example, Escherichia coli, which is most commonly found inhabiting the intestine, could cause urinary tract infections if they enter into the bladder.

The most common places to find most kinds of helpful bacteria is in the mouth, the pharynx, and the GI tract. An example of stagnant bacteria are those that live inside the mouth.

They don't cause any harm to the inside of the mouth, yet also help in ways to protect you from infection. Other places that normal flora reside are in the nose, throat, on the skin, around the eyes and inside the body (specifically the intestines).

Normal microbiota is the normally non pathogenic bacteria that reside in or on your body