What term is commonly used for one-celled microorganisms?

What term is commonly used for one-celled microorganisms?

• A. Bacteria
• B. Microbiology
• C. Cocci
• D. Saprophytes

Answer: (A)

Understanding terminology for single-celled microorganisms helps differentiate what a term refers to: the organism itself, its shape, the field of study, or its nutrition. One-celled microorganisms are most commonly called bacteria. They are microscopic single cells that carry out all life processes within that one cell, which is why they’re the classic example of one-celled life forms. The term microbiology is the science that studies microorganisms, not the organisms themselves. Cocci describes a shape—spherical bacteria—so while some one-celled bacteria can be cocci, the word doesn’t generalize to all one-celled microorganisms. Saprophytes refer to organisms that feed on decaying organic matter; this describes their nutrition, and it can include various organisms (including some bacteria), but it isn’t a general term for all one-celled microorganisms.

Understanding terminology for single-celled microorganisms helps differentiate what a term refers to: the organism itself, its shape, the field of study, or its nutrition.

One-celled microorganisms are most commonly called bacteria. They are microscopic single cells that carry out all life processes within that one cell, which is why they’re the classic example of one-celled life forms. The term microbiology is the science that studies microorganisms, not the organisms themselves. Cocci describes a shape—spherical bacteria—so while some one-celled bacteria can be cocci, the word doesn’t generalize to all one-celled microorganisms. Saprophytes refer to organisms that feed on decaying organic matter; this describes their nutrition, and it can include various organisms (including some bacteria), but it isn’t a general term for all one-celled microorganisms.