Microorganism

A microorganism (or microbe) was a microscopic germ, plant or animal. Most are single-celled organisms, but this is not a requirement. Some cause diseases of varying severity, while others are vitally important for producing foods and other products. The study of microorganisms is called microbiology.
Microorganisms are distinct from viruses because they have all the biological mechanisms necessary to function as living organisms, without relying on other organisms.
After billions of years of evolution, microbes may potentially evolve into a sentient species. () 
In terraforming, the introduction of microorganisms is one of the final stages in creating a habitable biosphere. () In order for Project Genesis to be successful, the host planet can possess only preanimate matter, otherwise, according to Doctor Carol Marcus, "there can't be so much as a microbe, or the show's off." ()
For Vulcans, certain microbes have also been known to trigger pon farr prematurely. ()
In 2024, a microorganism was discovered by Renée Picard on Europa that would prove instrumental in fixing the environmental damage to Earth, saving the planet.
By 2151, over 200 million space-dwelling microbes had been cataloged. ()
In 2365, William T. Riker was infected by a microbe from the planet Surata IV that nearly killed him. ()
In 2368, Aaron Conor claimed that every microscopic lifeform on Genome colony was a part of the "master design" of what they saw as the genetic perfection of their community. ()
Jeffrey, the son of Kenneth (The Doctor), designed a microfilter implant for his school project. The implant was designed to cleanse an individual's blood of harmful microorganisms that were too small to stimulate an immune response. ()
== Types of microorganisms ==
* Algae
* Bacteria
* Fungi
* Protozoa
* Virus
== List of specific microorganisms ==
* Andorian amoeba
* Artificial microbe
* Cyrillian microbe
* Genesis microbe
* LB10445
* Macrovirus
* Metallic lifeform
* Microbrain
* Microvirus
* Nitrium parasite
* Oprelian amoeba
* Polycocyx astris
* Pyrocyte
* Quasi-energy microbe
* Rigelian fever vaccine
* Staphylococcus
* Surata IV microbe
* Synthococcus novae
* Xindi neural parasite
== External link ==
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de:Mikroorganismus