microorganism
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microorganism
A microscopic living organism that is not visible to the naked eye. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and single-celled organisms, among others.
Joghurt entsteht durch die Fermentation von Milch mithilfe bestimmter Mikroorganismen.
Yogurt is made through the fermentation of milk with the help of certain microorganisms.
The word is composed of the Greek prefix 'mikro-' (small) and the word 'Organismus' (organism). So it literally means 'small living organism'.
Viele Mikroorganismen sind für das menschliche Auge unsichtbar.
Many microorganisms are invisible to the human eye.
'Mikroorganismus' (microorganism) is a technical term from biology and medicine. You find it mainly in scientific or informative texts.
In dem Laborbericht wurde das Vorkommen verschiedener Mikroorganismen dokumentiert.
The lab report documented the presence of various microorganisms.
A distinction is often made between 'nützlichen Mikroorganismen' (beneficial microorganisms), for example in food, and 'schädlichen' (harmful) or 'krankheitserregenden Mikroorganismen' (pathogenic microorganisms).
Nicht alle Mikroorganismen sind schädlich; einige sind für unsere Verdauung sogar nützlich.
Not all microorganisms are harmful; some are even useful for our digestion.
pathogen
A “Mikroorganismus” is generally a microscopic living organism, without necessarily implying a disease. “Der Erreger,” by contrast, refers to a microorganism specifically in its possible role as the cause of a disease. “Mikroorganismus” is appropriate when talking neutrally about the type of organism; “Erreger” is appropriate in the context of a disease.
Unter dem Mikroskop untersuchte die Klasse einen kleinen Mikroorganismus aus dem Teichwasser.
Under the microscope, the class examined a small microorganism from the pond water.
Die Forschenden suchten nach dem Erreger, der die Krankheit ausgelöst haben konnte.
The researchers looked for the pathogen that could have caused the disease.
