Final answer:
Microbial species of the microbiota can prevent pathogen colonization by competing for nutrients and attachment sites, and by producing antimicrobial compounds, but they do not perform phagocytosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The microbial species of the microbiota can interfere with the colonization of pathogens through several mechanisms, but phagocytosis is not one of them. The correct mechanisms through which microbiota species can prevent pathogen colonization include:
- Competition for attachment receptors on host cells
- Synthesis of antimicrobial compounds
- Competition for food sources
Microbial species of the microbiota may produce substances like bacteriocins that inhibit the growth of pathogens, compete with pathogens for essential nutrients and attachment sites, thereby preventing their colonization. However, phagocytosis is a cellular process carried out by specific cells of the immune system, such as phagocytes, and not by the microbiota.