Holobiont

A holobiont refers to a host organism and all the tiny organisms living inside or on it—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes—that form a complex, interconnected community. Together, they function as a single biological unit, influencing each other's health, development, and survival. This concept emphasizes that an organism's well-being can't be fully understood without considering these associated microbes, which often provide essential functions like aiding digestion, protecting against disease, or helping adapt to environments. Essentially, a holobiont is a coordinated, multi-part system where the host and its microbes work together as one integrated entity.