Pathogen
/ˈpæθədʒən/
Definitions
An organism or agent that causes disease or illness.
/ˈpæθədʒən/
An organism that causes disease.
The scientists are studying the effects of various pathogens on the immune system.
💡 Simply: Imagine you get sick – a *pathogen* is the tiny germ or bug that made you sick. It's like the bad guys in a movie causing all the trouble!
👶 For kids: A pathogen is a tiny thing, like a germ, that can make you sick.
More Examples
Proper hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of pathogens.
A vaccine can help your body fight off a specific pathogen.
The pathogen's rapid mutation makes it difficult to develop effective treatments.
How It's Used
"The bacteria is a common pathogen that causes pneumonia."
"Viruses and fungi can also be classified as pathogens."
From Greek *pathos* (suffering, disease) + *genēs* (born, produced). It was coined in the late 19th century, coinciding with the rise of germ theory.
The term became increasingly prevalent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with advancements in microbiology and the understanding of infectious diseases.
Memory tip
Think of 'path' as the disease 'path' and 'gen' as 'generating' disease.