Word parts
micro- smallbi/o life
What it means
Also called a microorganism. Most microbes are harmless, and many live on and in the body and help it, such as the bacteria that aid digestion. A microbe that causes disease is a pathogenPATH-uh-jenA germ, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite, that can cause disease.path/o disease-gen something that producesFull entry .
At a glance
| Spanish | microbio |
|---|---|
| Also written | microbes |
Related terms
bacterium
A tiny one-celled living thing, seen only under a microscope, of which some kinds cause disease; the plural is bacteria.
pathogen
A germ, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite, that can cause disease.
spore
A tough, resting form that some bacteria and fungi make, able to survive heat, drying and many cleaning products.