Microbe - GCSE History Definition

A microbe, also known as a microorganism, is a tiny living thing that is too small to be seen without a microscope. Microbes include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and certain types of algae, and they exist almost everywhere on Earth, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. While some microbes can cause diseases, many are beneficial and help with processes like digestion or soil fertilisation. Understanding microbes is important in history because they have played a big role in events like the spread of diseases, which have impacted human societies throughout the past. Learning about microbes helps us see how medicine and public health have developed over time.