A tiny living organism, usually bacteria or other microscopic life, too small to see without a microscope.
From French 'microbe,' combining Greek 'mikros' (small) and 'bios' (life). Coined in the 1870s as microscopy revealed a hidden world of invisible life forms.
Every bacterium, virus, and fungus in your body contributes to who you are—scientists now think your 'microbiome' may influence everything from mood to immunity in ways we're still discovering.
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