A non-scientific term for disease-producing organisms is known as?

The term "germs" is commonly used in everyday language to refer to a variety of microorganisms that can cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Although it is not a scientific term, "germs" conveys the general idea of any harmful organisms that can lead to infections or diseases, making it the most recognized and understood term among the options presented.

In contrast, "viruses," "toxins," and "parasites" are more specific scientific terms. "Viruses" refer specifically to a type of microorganism that requires a host cell to replicate and can cause diseases, but it does not encompass all harmful organisms. "Toxins" are poisonous substances produced by certain organisms, and while they can cause disease, they do not represent a category of organisms themselves. "Parasites" are organisms that live on or in a host and can cause harm but again do not include all disease-causing entities.

Therefore, "germs" is the most appropriate term among the choices for describing disease-producing organisms in a general sense.