What term describes a submicroscopic organism that can pass through filters capable of removing bacteria?

The term that describes a submicroscopic organism capable of passing through filters designed to remove bacteria is "viruses." Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and cannot be classified as living organisms in the traditional sense because they lack the cellular structure and metabolic machinery found in bacteria and other more complex life forms.

Viruses are reliance on host cells for reproduction and metabolic functions, which differentiates them significantly from bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. In terms of filtration, typical filters that are effective against bacteria, like those with a pore size of about 0.2 micrometers, are not sufficient to retain viruses, which can be as small as 20 to 300 nanometers in diameter. This characteristic is critical in water treatment processes, where ensuring the removal of all microbial contaminants, including viruses, is necessary to safeguard public health. Understanding the size difference and the structural characteristics of these organisms is crucial for water operators when evaluating water quality and treatment methods.