microbiota

noun

mi·​cro·​bi·​o·​ta ˌmī-krō-bī-ˈō-tə 

: the microscopic organisms of a particular environment : microbiome sense 1

It's very possible that the master key to unlocking chronic disease will turn out to be the health and composition of the microbiota in your gut.

—Michael Pollan and Ruth Reichl

microbiotic

ˌmī-krō-bī-ˈä-tik 

adjective

the microbiotic environment of the gut

Examples of microbiota in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Normally digested by the body with an enzyme called ‘lactase’, this sugar breaks down into lactic acid to feed the healthy bacteria in our intestinal microbiota. —Marie Bladt, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024

Researchers found a significant difference in the participants’ skin microbiota after touching the soil materials. —Kathy Willis, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024

While the exact causes of IBS are not fully understood, factors like gut microbiota imbalances, immune dysfunction, and genetics likely play a role. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 15 Dec. 2024

That said, those fluctuations in eating habits between each season can lead to changes in the composition in our microbiota (a system of microorganisms inside of our body). —Leyre Moreno, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

micro- + biota

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microbiota

noun

mi·​cro·​bi·​o·​ta -bī-ˈōt-ə 

: the microscopic organisms of a particular environment : microbiome sense 1

The more we learn about our microbiota, however, the more we realize how easy it is for helpful microbes to get caught in the line of fire between an antibiotic and its intended target.

—Nathan Wolfe, National Geographic

… the microbiota on the tongue differ from those species living in plaque on teeth.

—Mel Rosenberg, Scientific American

microbiotic

-bī-ˈät-ik 

adjective

microbiotic life