What is the study of microorganisms called?

The study of microorganisms is called microbiology. This field encompasses the exploration of various types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Microbiology plays a crucial role in understanding how these organisms function, interact with their environments, and influence health and disease. Through microbiology, scientists gain insights into microbial life, including their classifications, genetics, physiology, and the impact they have on ecosystems and human health.

Pathology focuses on the study of diseases and the changes they cause in tissues and organs, rather than specifically on microorganisms themselves. Cytology is the study of cells, including their structure, function, and chemistry, while molecular biology investigates biological phenomena at a molecular level, which may involve microorganisms but is not limited to them.