Ecosystems: development, functions and consequences of disturbances, with special reference to the oral cavity.
Some general rules for the development and maintenance of microbial ecosystems are outlined. Studies on germ-free animals have given valuable baselines concerning structures and functions in the host per se. The oral cavity represents several consortia of micro-organisms, governed by factors deriving from the host, the diet and/or the micro-organisms. Alterations in these factors, as well as intake of antibiotics, etc., may give disturbances, which can be analyzed according to general guidelines.
Midtvedt
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Department of Medical Microbial Ecology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
D000818:Animals; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D004463:Ecology; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*