Understanding Biological Prefixes and Suffixes in Terminology
This resource provides an overview of various biological prefixes and suffixes, explaining their meanings and applications in scientific terminology. It covers terms such as "a-", "auto-", "bio-", "cardio-", "cyto-", and more, illustrating how these components combine to form complex ideas related to life sciences. Whether you're a student, educator, or professional, this guide will enhance your understanding of biological concepts and improve your ability to communicate effectively in the field.
Understanding Biological Prefixes and Suffixes in Terminology
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Presentation Transcript
a: lacking, none, without • asexual, abiotic • ab: away from, out of • absent; absorption • Ad: to, toward • adhesive; adhesion • Anti: against • Antisocial; antibiotic; anti-inflammatory • Audi, audio: hear • audible; auditorium; auditory • Auto: self • Autobiography, autograph • -ase: enzyme • DNA polymerase
Bi: two, twice, double • Binary fission; Bicycle, bipartisan, biceps • Bio: life; living • Biology; biography; biosphere; bioengineering • Cardio: of or relating to the heart • Cardiac, CPR, cardiologist • Cerebr: brain • Cerebrum, Cerebral cortex • Chloro: green • Chlorophyll, chloroplasts • -cide: kill • Insecticide, homicide, spermacide • Con, co, com: with, together • Converge, codominance, community, congregate • Cyto, cyte: cell • Cytoplasm; leukocyte
Derm: skin • Epidermis; dermatology; dermatologist • Di: two • dicot; divergent • Diplo: double • Diploid, diplococcus • Ecto: outside • ectotherm • -emia: condition of the blood • Anemia, leukemia • Endo, en: inner, inside • Endothermic, endoskeleton • Ex, exo: out of • Exit, exoskeleton
-gen: producing; causing • Carcinogen, antigen, pathogen • Glyc: sweet • Glycogen, hypoglycemia, glycerin, glycolysis • -gram: write, record • Telegram, diagram, cladogram • Hemo: blood • Hemophilia; hemoglobin • Hetero: different • Heterosexual; heterozygous • Homo; homeo: same; alike • Homosexual; homozygous; homeostasis • Hydro: water • Hydrologic cycle • Hyper: above; over; beyond • Hyperactive; hyperextended, hypertonic • Hypo: beneath; under • Hypodermic needle; hypotonic, hypothermia; hypoglycemia
Im, in: with, into • Immigration • Iso: equal • Isotonic, isometric, Isosceles triangle • -itis: inflammation; disease • Appendicitis; Dermatitis; hepatitis • Leuko: white • Leukemia, Leukocyte • -lysis: decomposition, dissolving • Glycolysis; lysosome • Meso: middle • Mesopotamia; mesoderm, mesophyll • Mono: single • Monopoly; monotone; monorail; monhybrid
-morph: form • Metamorphosis • Neuro: neuron (nerve cell) • Neurotransmitter, neuropathy, neurology • -ology: study of • Biology; ecology; zoology; geology • -osis: condition or process • Mitosis, meiosis, photosynthesis • Path: disease • pathogen • Peri: around • Peripheral nervous system • Phago: to eat • Phagocyte; phagocytosis
-philic: having a preference for • hydrophillic • -phobic: having an aversion to • hydrophobic • Photo: light • Photograph; photosynthesis • Phyto, phyte: plant • Phytoplankton, Bryophyte • Pod: foot • Podiatrist; cephalopod; pseudopod; arthropod • Poly: many • Polygon, polygenic trait • Re-: again, new • Regeneration, renewable, recycle • Sperma-relating to sperm or seed • Spermatogenesis; spermacide
Tel, telo: end • telophase • -therm: heat • Thermometer; thermostat; endotherm; hypothermia • Tox: poisonous • Toxin; toxic; toxicology • Trans: across • Transcontinental; transatlantic; transgenic • -troph: feed • Autotroph; heterotroph • -tropism: response • Geotropism; photoropism • Uni: single, one • Unicellular; unicycle • Zoo: animal • zoology • Zyg: yolk; pair • Zygote; heterozygous; homozygous