![[Microbiota.png|400]] > See also: > - [[Microbiology]] # Microbiomes **Microbes** are unavoidable and inhabit nearly every inch of the world we interact with, including our bodies. The collection of microorganisms that exist on a host organism is known as its [[Microbiomes]]. A [[Pathogens|pathogen]] is any organism (typically microorganism) with the potential to cause disease. > It's important to remember the difference between a disease and a virus (pathogen). **Commensal microorganisms** habitually live on or inside of the human body and do not cause disease or harm, sometimes even benefiting the host. The community of microbial species that inhabits the human body is called the **microbiota**, such as: - Gut Microbiota - Oral Microbiota ### Self vs Non-Self (Pathogens) An organism is called a [[Pathogens|pathogen]] if it has the potential to cause disease/harm the host organism. On the other hand, the term "**self**" is often used within immunology to describe civilian cells or