What is the difference between microbiota and microbiome?

The terms microbiota and microbiome are often used interchangeably, but they do have slightly different meanings. Microbiota refers to the specific microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) that make up the microbiome. It's a term that is used to describe the actual organisms that live on and inside our bodies. On the other hand, the microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms that live on and inside the body, along with the genes they contain and the environment they live in. It's a term that encompasses not only the microorganisms themselves, but also the environment in which they live and the interactions between the microorganisms and their host. In other words, the microbiome is the entire ecosystem of microorganisms on and inside the body, while the microbiota refers to the specific microorganisms that make up that ecosystem. While the terms are often used interchangeably, it's important to understand the subtle differences between them.