What Are Microorganisms?
Microorganisms (Latin micro = small) are living beings so small (< 40 µm or 0.04 mm) that they are not visible by the naked eye. Microorganisms related to human health include certain bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Synonyms: microbes, germs, bugs.
Types of Microorganisms
Microorganisms can be, according to their characteristics, divided into several groups:
- bacteria, viruses, certain fungi and parasites
- pathogenic (capable of causing disease), non-pathogenic, and opportunistic (causing disease when they have an opportunity, like in people with low immune system)
- acellular (without cell, like viruses), unicellular (bacteria, yeasts and certain parasites), or multi-cellular (molds)
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