Apathogenic is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language, but it is an important term in the field of microbiology. The term is used to describe microorganisms that are not capable of causing disease in humans or animals. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of apathogenic, its origin, and associations.
Definitions
Apathogenic is an adjective that describes microorganisms that are not pathogenic, meaning they do not cause disease in humans or animals. These microorganisms can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Origin
The term apathogenic comes from the Greek word “a-” meaning “not” and “pathos” meaning “suffering”. The term was first used in the early 1900s to describe microorganisms that were not capable of causing disease.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The term apathogenic is not commonly found in most dictionaries. However, it is listed in some specialized dictionaries such as medical dictionaries and microbiology textbooks. In these sources, the term is defined as “not capable of causing disease”.
Associations
Apathogenic microorganisms are often associated with commensalism, which is a type of symbiotic relationship where two organisms live together and one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Apathogenic microorganisms can also be found in the environment, such as in soil or water.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for apathogenic, including non-pathogenic, avirulent, and harmless.
Antonyms
The antonyms of apathogenic are pathogenic, virulent, and harmful.
The same root words
The root words of apathogenic are “a-” meaning “not” and “pathos” meaning “suffering”. These root words can also be found in other medical terms such as apathy, which means a lack of feeling or emotion, and pathology, which is the study of disease.
Example Sentences
- The microbiologist confirmed that the bacteria found in the water sample were apathogenic.
- The virus was found to be avirulent, meaning it was not capable of causing disease.
- The fungus was harmless and did not pose a threat to human health.