TOEFL REAL-QUESTION PODCAST · 生物学

The Human Microbiome

配套学习文稿 · 网页阅读版

1. English Overview

This article introduces the human microbiome, the community of trillions of microorganisms that live in and on the human body. These microbes include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms. Although the word microbe may sound negative, many of these organisms play essential roles in digestion, immunity, vitamin production, and even mood regulation. The article explains that the microbiome is not fixed: diet, lifestyle, and medication can change it. Antibiotics can kill harmful bacteria, but they may also disrupt beneficial microbes and weaken the body's balance. Researchers are especially interested in the gut-brain connection because some gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters that affect brain function. The article ends by suggesting ways to support a healthy microbiome, such as eating fiber-rich foods, reducing stress, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, and using probiotics or prebiotics.

2. 中文概览

这篇文章介绍人体微生物群，也就是生活在人体内外的数万亿微生物。它们包括细菌、病毒、真菌和其他微小生物。虽然“微生物”听起来可能像有害物质，但很多微生物对人体非常重要，能帮助消化、支持免疫系统、产生维生素，甚至参与情绪调节。文章指出，微生物群会受到饮食、生活方式和药物的影响。抗生素虽然能对抗有害细菌，但也可能破坏有益微生物的平衡，引发消化问题或免疫力下降。研究者还在探索肠道微生物与心理健康之间的联系，因为某些肠道细菌可以产生影响大脑功能的神经递质。文章最后说明，保持健康微生物群的方法包括多样化饮食、摄入富含纤维的食物、减轻压力、避免不必要的抗生素，并合理利用益生菌和益生元。

3. Key Background Knowledge

Human microbiome: the full community of microorganisms living in and on the human body. 人体微生物群：生活在人类身体内部和表面的全部微生物群落。

Microorganisms: extremely small living things, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. 微生物：体积极小的生命体，包括细菌、病毒、真菌和其他微小生物。

Gut bacteria: bacteria living in the digestive system that help break down food and produce useful substances. 肠道细菌：生活在消化系统中的细菌，能帮助分解食物并产生有益物质。

Antibiotics: medicines that kill or control bacteria, but may also disturb helpful bacteria. 抗生素：用于杀死或控制细菌的药物，但也可能破坏有益细菌。

Neurotransmitters: chemical messengers that help nerve cells communicate and can affect mood and brain function. 神经递质：帮助神经细胞传递信息的化学物质，可影响情绪和大脑功能。

Probiotics and prebiotics: probiotics are beneficial bacteria; prebiotics are substances, often fiber, that feed beneficial bacteria. 益生菌与益生元：益生菌是有益细菌；益生元通常是膳食纤维等能滋养有益细菌的物质。

4. 文章思维导图

中心主题：The human microbiome supports health and can be shaped by diet, lifestyle, and medicine

Paragraph 1｜段落主旨：The human microbiome consists of many microorganisms that perform key body functions.

主要细节：The microbiome includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes.

主要细节：These microorganisms live in and on the human body.

主要细节：They support digestion, immunity, mood regulation, and vitamin production.

Paragraph 2｜段落主旨：The microbiome can be disrupted, and this may affect both physical and mental health.

主要细节：Diet, lifestyle, and medication can influence the microbiome.

主要细节：Antibiotics can disrupt beneficial microbes while fighting harmful bacteria.

主要细节：Disruption may lead to digestive problems and weakened immunity.

主要细节：Gut bacteria may produce neurotransmitters that affect brain function.

主要细节：Microbial imbalance may be linked to depression and anxiety.

Paragraph 3｜段落主旨：A healthy microbiome can be supported through daily habits and may lead to future medical breakthroughs.

主要细节：A varied, fiber-rich diet supports beneficial microbes.

主要细节：Reducing stress and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics can help maintain balance.

主要细节：Probiotics and prebiotics may support digestion.

主要细节：Better understanding of the microbiome may improve disease treatment and general health.

5. Key Vocabulary

Key Vocabulary	Plain English	中文意思	Collocation	例句
microbiome	The community of tiny organisms living in a particular environment, such as the human body.	微生物群	the human microbiome; gut microbiome	The human microbiome plays an important role in digestion. · 中文：人体微生物群在消化中发挥重要作用。
microorganism	A living thing too small to see without a microscope.	微生物	trillions of microorganisms; beneficial microorganisms	Many microorganisms live on the skin and inside the gut. · 中文：许多微生物生活在皮肤上和肠道内。
microbe	A very small living thing, such as a bacterium or fungus.	微生物；微小生物	beneficial microbes; harmful microbes	Not all microbes are harmful to the body. · 中文：并非所有微生物都对身体有害。
pivotal	Very important in deciding how something develops or works.	关键的；核心的	play a pivotal role; a pivotal factor	Gut bacteria play a pivotal role in digestion. · 中文：肠道细菌在消化中起关键作用。
digestion	The process of breaking food down so the body can use it.	消化	aid digestion; improve digestion	Some bacteria help with digestion by breaking down food. · 中文：一些细菌通过分解食物来帮助消化。
immunity	The body's ability to resist disease or infection.	免疫力；免疫功能	weakened immunity; support immunity	A disrupted microbiome may lead to weakened immunity. · 中文：微生物群失衡可能导致免疫力下降。
mood regulation	The process of controlling or influencing emotional state.	情绪调节	affect mood regulation; support mood regulation	Researchers study how gut bacteria may affect mood regulation. · 中文：研究者研究肠道细菌如何影响情绪调节。
antibiotics	Medicines used to kill or control bacteria.	抗生素	take antibiotics; unnecessary antibiotics	Antibiotics can be effective against harmful bacteria. · 中文：抗生素能有效对抗有害细菌。
disrupt	To interrupt or damage the normal working of something.	扰乱；破坏	disrupt the balance; disrupt normal function	Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of beneficial microbes. · 中文：抗生素可能破坏有益微生物的平衡。
beneficial	Helpful or good for something.	有益的	beneficial microbes; beneficial effects	Fiber can support beneficial bacteria in the gut. · 中文：膳食纤维能支持肠道中的有益细菌。
neurotransmitter	A chemical that carries messages between nerve cells.	神经递质	produce neurotransmitters; neurotransmitter levels	Certain gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters that affect the brain. · 中文：某些肠道细菌会产生影响大脑的神经递质。
imbalance	A state in which the parts of something are not in the right proportion.	失衡；不平衡	microbial imbalance; hormonal imbalance	An imbalance in gut bacteria may be linked to anxiety. · 中文：肠道细菌失衡可能与焦虑有关。
probiotics	Beneficial bacteria that may support digestion and gut health.	益生菌	take probiotics; probiotic foods	Probiotics may help maintain a healthy microbiome. · 中文：益生菌可能有助于维持健康的微生物群。
prebiotics	Substances that feed beneficial bacteria, often found in fiber-rich foods.	益生元	prebiotic fiber; probiotics and prebiotics	Prebiotics help beneficial bacteria grow. · 中文：益生元帮助有益细菌生长。
breakthrough	An important discovery or development that solves a problem.	突破；重大进展	medical breakthrough; lead to breakthroughs	Research on the microbiome may lead to breakthroughs in treating disease. · 中文：微生物群研究可能带来疾病治疗方面的突破。