A microbe that causes disease is called a __________ .

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the question is asking for the term used to describe a microbe that causes disease.
2. Recall that microbes include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, some of which can cause diseases in hosts.
3. Identify the specific term used in microbiology to refer to any microbe that causes disease.
4. Recognize that the correct term is 'pathogen', which is used to describe disease-causing microbes.
5. Conclude that the blank should be filled with the word 'pathogen'.

Key Concepts

Pathogen

A pathogen is any microorganism, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, that can cause disease in a host organism. Understanding pathogens is essential to identify disease-causing microbes and their mechanisms of infection.

Microbe

Microbes are microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. While many microbes are harmless or beneficial, some have the ability to cause diseases, making it important to distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes.

Infectious Disease

Infectious diseases result from the invasion and multiplication of pathogens in the body, leading to symptoms and illness. Recognizing how microbes cause infectious diseases helps in understanding the role of pathogens in health and disease.