BIOLOGICAL AGENT Synonyms

• (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants

• an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia

• anything that provides inspiration for later work

• a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism

• a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use

• any organism of microscopic size

• an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host

• a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage

• any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)

• a poisonous substance produced during the metabolism and growth of certain microorganisms and some higher plant and animal species

• (virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein

• a harmful or corrupting agency

• a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer

• hazard to humans or the environment resulting from biological agents or conditions

• any bacterium or virus or toxin that could be used in biological warfare