What question did this study set out to answer?

To update and quantitatively assess literature-based calculations for the total counts of human and bacterial cells in the human body, re-evaluating the widely quoted 10:1 ratio.

August 19, 2016PLoS BiologyOpen Access

Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body

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To update and quantitatively assess literature-based calculations for the total counts of human and bacterial cells in the human body, re-evaluating the widely quoted 10:1 ratio.
Synthesized recent literature data on cell densities and organ volumes to model a 70 kg standard reference man.
Calculated human cellular counts across major tissue compartments, including the hematopoietic lineage, alongside gut and body microbial counts.
Total bacterial cells in a 70 kg reference male are estimated at 3.8 × 10¹³, corresponding to a combined microbial mass of approximately 0.2 kg.
Total human cells are calculated at 3.0 × 10¹³, with the hematopoietic lineage representing roughly 90% of the total human cell population.
The revised ratio of bacterial cells to human cells is approximately 1.3:1, disproving the long-standing 10:1 paradigm.

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Implication

Quantitative analysis reveals 3.8×10¹³ bacteria and 3.0×10¹³ human cells in standard adults, indicating a near 1:1 cellular ratio.

Cite This Study

Sender et al. (2016) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d9a4765e5bcb4e3b837665 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533

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Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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