 | To a tree, humans are fast-moving and short-lived creatures. On a cosmic scale, our lifespans are hardly measurable. But to a bacteria or a virus, we're as large as a planet~ We humans are, in fact, made up of a constellation of microscopic elements. An adult human is composed of about 30 trillion cells, and 39 trillion microbes: bacteria, viruses, and fungi that call our bodies home. The biome within you may weigh as much as five pounds! Three-quarters of our microbes may be inherited from our mothers (for those born vaginally) and we ingest millions of microbes with our meals. |
Fun facts:
“Each part of the body is a different type of ecosystem, like a planet with different continents and climates, the [miscroscopic] inhabitants of which have adapted to the characteristics of each location.” (BBC)
“Each part of the body is a different type of ecosystem, like a planet with different continents and climates, the [miscroscopic] inhabitants of which have adapted to the characteristics of each location.” (BBC)
“Friendly” microbes can help protect us from more harmful ones. For example, Lactobacilli living in the mucus membranes of our nose may guard us against chronic sinus inflammation and allergies.
 | Other microbes are more insidious. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic bacteria that only reproduces in the gut of domestic or wild cats, yet can infect any warm-blooded animal including humans. Toxoplasma is known to manipulate its hosts. For example, it makes rodents reckless around house cats and therefore easier to catch. Infected hyena cubs are more likely to approach and be eaten by lions. Wolves infected with Toxoplasma are 46% more likely to become aggressive pack leaders than noninfected wolves. |
At least one-third of humans are thought to be infected with Toxoplasma. Infected humans are more likely to engage in risky driving habits and become entrepreneurs.
 | What remains unanswered: Are infected humans more susceptible to feline manipulation (like the hapless infected mice sacrificed to entertain house cats)? Am I feeding the cats treats because I am a kind and caring cat-mom, or do I cater to their every whim because I’m infected by Toxoplasma? Gotta go, my cat bosses demand my service . . . |
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