organism

Everyday

1. Any living thing, such as an animal, plant, fungus or bacterium. tree →
2. A whole system with parts that work together like a living thing. tree →

In the lessons

In science: all organisms need food, water and energy; micro-organisms are too small to see. In food chains, organisms eat or are eaten. Phrases: living organism, micro-organism, single-celled organism.

Examples

• A tree is a living organism. tree →
• Bacteria are tiny organisms. tree →
• Every organism needs energy to live. tree →
• Some organisms have only one cell. tree →
• We looked at pond organisms under a microscope. tree →
• Fungi are organisms, not plants. tree →

Note

Countable. Adjective: organic. Do not confuse with "organisation" (a group of people) or "orgasm". Micro-organisms (microbes) can only be seen with a microscope.