pathogen

/ˈpæθədʒn̩/

Meanings

noun

Any organism or substance, especially a microorganism, capable of causing disease, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi. Microorganisms are not considered to be pathogenic until they have reached a population size that is large enough to cause disease.

Examples :

"Washing your hands often helps prevent the spread of pathogens, like cold and flu viruses. "

Related Words

organism noun

/ˈɔː.ɡən.ɪ.zəm/ /ˈɔɹ.ɡən.ɪ.zəm/

A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.

"The single-celled organism was studied by the biology students in their science class. "

considered verb

/kənˈsɪdəd/ /kənˈsɪdɚd/

To think about seriously.

"Consider that we’ve had three major events and the year has hardly begun."

substance noun

/ˈsʌbstəns/

Physical matter; material.

"The scientist carefully examined the substance to determine its chemical composition. "

especially adverb

/əˈspɛʃ(ə)li/

(manner) In a special manner; specially.

"My sister is very helpful, especially when it comes to organizing things. "

capable adjective

/ˈkeɪpəbl̩/

Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.

"As everyone knew, he was capable of violence when roused."

microorganisms noun

/ˌmaɪkroʊˈɔːrɡənɪzəmz/ /ˌmaɪkroʊˈɔːrɡənɪsm̩z/

An organism that is too small to be seen by the unaided eye, especially a single-celled organism, such as a bacterium.

"The cud is then reswallowed and further digested by specialized microorganisms that live in the rumen."

pathogens noun

/ˈpæθədʒənz/ /ˈpæθəˌdʒɛnz/

Any organism or substance, especially a microorganism, capable of causing disease, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi. Microorganisms are not considered to be pathogenic until they have reached a population size that is large enough to cause disease.

"Washing your hands regularly helps remove pathogens that can make you sick. "

microorganism noun

/ˌmaɪ.kɹəʊˈɔː.ɡən.ɪ.zəm̩/ /ˌmaɪ.kɹoʊˈɔːɹ.ɡən.ɪ.zəm̩/

An organism that is too small to be seen by the unaided eye, especially a single-celled organism, such as a bacterium.

"The cud is then reswallowed and further digested by specialized microorganisms that live in the rumen."

pathogenic adjective

/ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk/ /ˌpeɪθəˈdʒɛnɪk/

Able to cause (harmful) disease.

"While the environment is teeming with bacteria and fungi, most are not pathogenic."

bacteria noun

/bækˈtɪəɹ.ɪ.ə/ /bækˈtɪɹ.i.ə/

A type, species, or strain of bacterium.

"The doctor identified the specific bacteria causing the student's illness. "

protozoa noun

/ˌproʊtəˈzoʊə/ /ˌproʊtəˈzoʊˌɑː/

Any of the diverse group of eukaryotes, of the phylum Protozoa, that are primarily unicellular, existing singly or aggregating into colonies, are usually nonphotosynthetic, and are often classified further into phyla according to their capacity for and means of motility, as by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia.

"The pond water, viewed under a microscope, teemed with protozoa, tiny single-celled organisms. "

population noun

/ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən/ /pɒpjuːˈleɪʃən/

The people living within a political or geographical boundary.

"The population of New Jersey will not stand for this!"