-monas Also -monad.

Simple microorganisms.

[Greek monas, monad-, unit, from monos, alone.]

The ending appears in genus names, especially of bacteria, protozoa, and algae. Examples are Pseudomonas (Greek pseudēs, false), a genus of bacteria which occurs in soil and detritus, including a number that are pathogens of plants or animals; Chlamydomonas (Greek khlamus, khlamud-, cloak), a genus of common single-celled green algae which typically have two flagella for swimming, living in water and moist soil; Trichomonas (Greek thrix, trikho-, hair), a parasitic protozoan that infests the urogenital or digestive system. Terms for individual organisms may be formed using -monad (pseudomonad, trichomonad), though these are relatively uncommon.

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