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microbiota vs. microbiome

[ mahy-kroh-bahy-oh-tuh ]
noun
  1. the microorganisms, both flora and fauna, that inhabit a particular region, when considered collectively.
  2. the microorganisms that live in the human body, symbiotically or pathologically.
[ mahy-kroh-bahy-ohm ]
noun
  1. the totality of microorganisms and their collective genetic material present in or on the human body or in another environment: The wide diversity of species that make up the microbiome is hard to fathom.

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