Editing Microorganism (section)

=== Human gut flora ===
{{Further|Human microbiota |Human Microbiome Project}}

Microorganisms can form an [[Endosymbiont|endosymbiotic]] relationship with other, larger organisms. For example, [[Microbial symbiosis and immunity|microbial symbiosis]] plays a crucial role in the immune system. The microorganisms that make up the [[gut flora]] in the [[gastrointestinal tract]] contribute to gut immunity, synthesize [[vitamin]]s such as [[folic acid]] and [[biotin]], and ferment complex indigestible [[carbohydrate]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=O'Hara, A. |author2=Shanahan, F. | title=The gut flora as a forgotten organ | journal=EMBO Rep | volume=7 | issue=7 | pages=688–693 | year=2006 | pmid=16819463 | doi=10.1038/sj.embor.7400731 | pmc=1500832}}</ref> Some microorganisms that are seen to be beneficial to health are termed [[probiotic]]s and are available as [[dietary supplement]]s, or [[food additive#Fortifying agents|food additives]].<ref name=who>{{cite web|last1=Schlundt |first1=Jorgen |title=Health and Nutritional Properties of Probiotics in Food including Powder Milk with Live Lactic Acid Bacteria |url=https://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/fs_management/en/probiotics.pdf |work=Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Evaluation of Health and Nutritional Properties of Probiotics in Food Including Powder Milk with Live Lactic Acid Bacteria |publisher=FAO / WHO |access-date=17 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022161702/http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/fs_management/en/probiotics.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}</ref>