Final answer:
Colonies of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and the human body predominantly refer to bacteria and fungi. These can form biofilms and are part of the human microbiota, including communities like the bacteria Bacteroides in the gut.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonies of microorganisms that adhere to environmental surfaces, as well as the human body, include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. However, when referring to colonies particularly, the most relevant groups are bacteria and fungi. These organisms can form biofilms, which are structured communities of microorganisms adhering to each other and/or to surfaces. An example of such colonies is the large colonies of bacteria found on the skin, as well as the vast community of various microbes living in the human gut, like the prevalent Bacteroides
The term microbiota refers to all microorganisms in a certain region of the human body, or all microorganisms in a certain geographic region. Examples of microbiota include bacteria, archaea, and fungi that coexist on the human body without causing harm. It's noteworthy that prokaryotic cells, both bacteria and archaea, are abundant on and within the human body and are part of the human microbiota. Particularly, bacteria are well-known for forming large colonies on the skin and in various body systems.