Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have what's probably a simple and dumb question, but I just can't seem to find the answer anywhere.... I almost feel embarrassed asking...but just gotta know.

What's the difference between a "germ" and "bacteria"? Are they one and the same?

I hear and see them used almost interchangeably in the literature, but it seems that the term "germ" is almost always used with negative connotations, as a noxious, dangerous, more pathogenic bacteria, whereas bacteria of course contains both helpful and harmful types...

Would the term "germ" also include viruses?

Thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light on this for me.[/i]

Scott:

I have searched the web and this website seems to offer a good description. Here's the link to the website:
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=bacteria

Yours truly,
Janelle

Hi!

Well...no question is a dumb question. At least that is what some teachers say before they yell at you. Anyways...back to your question. Germ isn't a scientific term. Bacerium or bacteria is. I guess you can say that the word germ is an informal literary term for a disease causing pathogen. Also, authors and other people tend to give a negative connotation to the word germ because of the definition a "disease causing pathogen," whereas bacteria are very small usually unicellular organisms.

Hope this helps!

No worries

It is true that the term "germ" has negative connotations, but any microorganism or virus would fit under the circumstances.

aznnerd666