Download Comparing Microbes

Microbes
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Microbe - a tiny organism that can be seen only with a microscope including unicellular protists.
Prokaryote - a unicellular organism that lacks a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Prokaryotes are commonly called bacteria.
Bacteria – Any of a large group of one-celled organisms that lack a membrane-bound
nucleus.
Fungi – any of a diverse group of eukaryotic single-celled organisms that live by
decomposing and absorbing the organic material in which they grow.
Algae – unicellular or multicellular organisms classified as plants, occurring in fresh or salt
water, but lack true stems, roots, and leaves.
Bacterial disease – a disease caused by bacteria (e.g. strep throat)
Pathogen – any microbe that causes one or more diseases.
Infectious Disease - any disease that is caused by a pathogen (e.g. MRSA)
Contagion – an infectious disease or infectious diseases that can be transmitted or spread from one
organism to another.
Carrier – an organism that is infected with and can transmit a disease-causing microbe to another living
thing. The carrier can show no symptoms of illness or disease.
Noninfectious Disease - diseases that are not spread from one organism to another (e.g. sickle-cell
anemia).
Parasite – an organism that lives and eats off of another organism. In most cases parasites will not kill
the host, but they can sicken or weaken the host.
Vector – an organism that helps a disease spread.
Epidemic – a major outbreak and spreading of a disease.
Pandemic – a worldwide epidemic.
Contagious Disease – a disease that can be spread from one person to another. (e.g. mono)
Antibody – a chemical substance that helps destroy pathogens.
Antimicrobial Product – a substance that is designed to kill microbes before they can enter your body.
Antibiotics – drugs that kill bacteria or prevent their reproduction.