The term "virus" is derived from the Latin word for poison. It was adopted to describe the causative agent of tobacco mosaic disease (TMD) after researchers concluded the disease was caused by a chemical toxin rather than a bacterium.

The Term Virus

In 1899, scientist Martinus Beijerinck continued investigating tobacco mosaic disease (TMD) and concluded that the causative agent was not a bacterium but rather a chemical biological poison or toxin.

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In 1892, Russian botanist Dmitri Ivanovski discovered the source of tobacco mosaic disease (TMD) by passing infected tobacco plant extracts through a porcelain Chamberland filter. He observed that the disease-causing agent was not removed by the filter, leading him to conclude that TMD was caused by an extremely small bacterium or bacterial spore.

Dmitri Ivanovski's Discovery of Viruses

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

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