noun

• A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.

  ‘Brain abscess is a serious disorder that occurs when micro-organisms such as bacteria or fungi get into the brain, causing inflammation.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘At the same time bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing micro-organisms are also becoming more active.’
  • ‘Many cases of food poisoning are caused by micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses and moulds.’
  • ‘A large number of micro-organisms cause ARD with viruses outnumbering bacteria.’
  • ‘Sulphurous acid breaks down partially into hydrogen ions and bisulphite ions, a form having little effect on micro-organisms such as bacteria and wild yeasts.’
  • ‘The solution also creates a strong osmotic pressure on the cell walls of bacteria and other micro-organisms, which prevents them from passing substances in or out.’
  • ‘Antibiotics are among the most valuable molecules in medicine today because of their ability to destroy micro-organisms like bacteria.’
  • ‘A hazy or cloudy wine can indicate the growth of micro-organisms or bacteria, or the presence of proteins from improper stabilization.’
  • ‘If silage effluent enters a stream or river, it leads to a rapid increase in bacteria and other micro-organisms who use up the available oxygen.’
  • ‘Fortunately, micro-organisms, including bacteria, have provided a source of antibiotics with which to combat these diseases.’
  • ‘In some cases the disease may be as a result of a micro-organism infecting the child from the parent.’
  • ‘GAS is a micro-organism that belongs to the same family of bacteria that causes MRSA.’
  • ‘When the body comes into contact with many of the common infectious micro-organisms, the immune system mounts a variety of defences to attack the invader and bring about a cure.’
  • ‘Infectious micro-organisms may therefore pose real dangers, especially as our immunity to vanished or rare diseases has certainly declined.’
  • ‘Pasteurization does not kill all micro-organisms, so the milk has a short shelf life.’
  • ‘It is well known that these mechanisms can be activated by either non-pathogenic micro-organisms or environmental factors prior to disease development.’
  • ‘This is because micro-organisms cannot survive the dry, oxygen-deprived conditions normally found in landfills.’
  • ‘Organic debris may preclude contact of the disinfectant with micro-organisms or even inactivate some agents.’
  • ‘For sure, they contain antibodies or a form of a micro-organism that won't cause an infection, but will cause our bodies to make antibodies.’
  • ‘But micro-organisms and ‘foreign’ bodies are secretly attacking your immune system.’

  Synonyms

  illness, ailment, infection, disease, disorder, sickness, affliction, malady, complaint, upset, condition, infirmity, indisposition, malaise