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Human body hosts a huge number of microbes of many different kinds. These microbes play a role in many fundamental life processes. The collection of microbes that constitute the microbiome is not random; the human microbiome is made up of a set of microbes that complement each other and the human host

We get most of them from other humans. Like new born babies get it from their mother’s birth canal, by breast milk, and as the babies become mobile they encounter it from the environment.

Its HUGE! Like as many cells of human body!

Wherever human body is exposed to the outside world, there is a microbial community i.e, entire surface of the skin, and the linings of the nasal passages, lungs, digestive and urogenital tracts are all home to microbial communities and each one of these has its own unique characteristic set of microbes.

What the microbiome is doing varies from place to place and many of its functions have not yet been elucidated. Like for example, bacteria in the mouth and gut helps in digesting complex carbohydrates and lipids and keeps immune system in check.

Yes, Microbes sense and interact with specific markers that are secreted by cells or found on their surfaces and use these cues to “decide” where to grow. Thus, there is a role for human genetics in the eventual structure of the microbiome. The exact mechanisms that govern these selection processes are also under active study, but they certainly include a great deal of chemical communication, as well as physical cues like temperature and moisture levels.

The gut is the best-studied site in the human microbiome and it contains the largest, densest, and most diverse microbial community in the human body. The gut microbiome acts as a highly efficient bioreactor, helping to extract energy and nutrients from the food we eat. Compounds that humans cannot digest on their own can be broken down by microbes. Evolutionarily, these microbial capabilities allowed humans to benefit from a wider variety of foodstuffs. The gut microbiome has complex effects on human metabolism and changes in its composition have been linked to several diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, Clostridium difficile infections, autoimmune disorders, and even diabetes and obesity. There are intriguing indications that the gut microbiome may affect sleep patterns, mood, and other behaviors.

No, they are not the same, it differs from person to person. Though the microbiome carries out many similar functions, but the jobs are not necessarily done by the same microbial species in each person. Also, the species carrying out the various functions in any given individual may change over time, differs based on the sex of the individual, ecological niche etc.

Normal gut microbiome is a scientifically established baseline of abundance of a certain set of gut microbes, consistently seen within normal healthy individuals. This baseline may vary depending on the geography (Indian, Asian, American etc.), gender, culture and demographics, genetics (of your own and that of the race), diet, and many environmental factors. Hence, the gut microbiome of every individual follows certain larger patterns. These types and their abundances are not static, and it changes with age, geography, culture, and most importantly diet, and any shift in the above categories, can lead to a shift in the type and abundance of microbiota. Largely a healthy human gut contains the following phylum of bacteria.

Bacteroidetes (~80%) Firmicutes (~20%) Proteobacteria (~4%) Actinobacteria (~2%)

Right now, what we can state is that we just don’t yet know what characterizes a healthy microbiome, or how our behavior affects it. But still we can avoid taking broad spectrum antibiotics very often, washing hands with antibiotics; instead switch over to a to a healthy diet and consume more prebiotics and targeted probiotics regularly. 

A gut microbiome test helps identify the presence of different species of microorganisms in the gut through analysis of fecal samples. The test result provides information on the richness and diversity of the gut microbiome which in turn is indicative of the gut health. 

Gut microbiota play an important role in one’s health. They help in improving digestion and help keep a tab on harmful microorganisms that cause diseases. Also they have an effect on the immune system. Recent studies have also shown that the gut microbiota are linked to the health of vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidney as well.  

The immune system is the main link between our gut bacteria and their influence on our health and disease. The immune system learns to protect the body from diseases through exposure to a diverse set of microorganisms, good or bad. A healthy Gut microbiome helps the immune system differentiate between beneficial bacteria and disease causing ones which in turn helps the immune system identify when it needs to react and when it needs to tolerate an external entity thus maintaining a balance between the two processes. 

Over 90 percent of serotonin produced by a human body is located in the gut. The microbiota plays a critical role in regulating serotonin levels in the body. Indigenious spore forming bacteria present in the gut microbiome promote synthesis of serotonin from gut cells known as enterochromaffin cells. Thus, any alteration in the gut microbiome will result in decreased production of serotonin. 

Alcohol use changes the microbiome composition and increases gut permeability allowing transfer of microbial components into the blood circulation.
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The human microbiome has extensive functions such as development of immunity, defence against pathogens, host nutrition including production of short-chain fatty acids important in host energy metabolism, synthesis of vitamins and fat storage as well as an influence on human behaviour, making it an essential organ of the body without which we would not function correctly.