Microorganisms
Definition
Microorganisms, also known as microbes, are tiny living organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Analogy
Think of microorganisms like the invisible characters in a video game. You can't see them without special equipment (like a microscope or an infrared scanner in the game), but they're there and they can have a big impact on your health (or your character's health).
Related terms
Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that can exist independently, symbiotically (in cooperation with another organism) or parasitically (causing harm to another organism).
Viruses: Tiny infectious agents that replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses can infect all types of life forms.
Protozoa: A group of single-celled microorganisms which have animal-like behavior, such as motility and predation.
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