| − | An '''organism''' in nature is a stable living system typically composed of [[organs]] that influence each other while functioning as one overall unit. In common terms, it generally refers to any single living being, including [[plant|plants]], [[animal|animals]], [[fungi]] and all varieties of [[germ|microbes]] and [[protozoa]]. | + | An '''organism''' in nature is a stable living system typically composed of [[organs]] that influence each other while functioning as one overall unit. In common terms, it generally refers to any single living being, including [[plant|plants]], [[animal|animals]], [[fungi]] and all varieties of [[germ|microbes]] and [[protozoa]]. The word comes from the Latin "organum" meaning "instrument" or "being". |