Final answer:
Gene richness and diversity in the human microbiota are important for overall health, aiding in digestion, vitamin synthesis, and protection against pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The roles of gene richness and diversity in the human microbiota are essential for maintaining overall health.
The human microbiota consists of a diverse community of microorganisms that reside in and on our body. Gene richness refers to the total number of different genes present in the microbiota, while gene diversity refers to the variation in the types of genes within the microbiota.
Gene richness and diversity in the microbiota help in various ways, such as aiding in digestion, synthesizing essential vitamins, and protecting against harmful pathogens. For example, a diverse microbiota can produce a wide range of enzymes that break down different types of food, allowing us to extract more nutrients from our diet.