Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us An... - I Contain

Some deep-sea creatures without mouths or guts rely entirely on microbes for energy.

They "sculpt" our organs and guide physical development from birth.

Rather than acting as a brute defense against intruders, the immune system is described as an instrument for managing microbial co-existence. Resident microbes "educate" the immune system, helping it distinguish between friend and foe.

Microbes can bombard their hosts with genes, effectively modifying the genetic makeup and evolution of the species they inhabit. The Human Impact