What is the term for disease-causing microorganisms?

What is the term for disease-causing microorganisms?

• A. Pathogen
• B. Virus
• C. Germ
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (A)

Pathogen is the term for disease-causing microorganisms because it covers any agent that can cause illness in a living host, whatever its type. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and even prions. A virus, for example, is one kind of pathogen, but not all pathogens are viruses. Bacteria are another distinct group, yet again not all disease-causing microbes are bacteria. Germ is a casual, imprecise word that doesn’t specify scientifically what is capable of causing disease. So the inclusive and precise label that fits all disease-causing organisms is pathogen.

Pathogen is the term for disease-causing microorganisms because it covers any agent that can cause illness in a living host, whatever its type. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and even prions. A virus, for example, is one kind of pathogen, but not all pathogens are viruses. Bacteria are another distinct group, yet again not all disease-causing microbes are bacteria. Germ is a casual, imprecise word that doesn’t specify scientifically what is capable of causing disease. So the inclusive and precise label that fits all disease-causing organisms is pathogen.