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Biology Terminologies: Prefix and Suffix Quick Review Notes

Galen Powell

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Biology, the study of life, utilizes a vast repertoire of specialized terms derived from Greek and Latin roots. These terms often incorporate prefixes and suffixes that provide additional context and meaning. Understanding these prefixes and suffixes is essential for comprehending complex biological concepts and effectively communicating scientific information.

Biology Terminologies - Prefix and Suffix (Quick Review Notes)

by William Pitts

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	152 KB
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This comprehensive guide serves as a quick reference for biology terminologies, providing an in-depth exploration of commonly used prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings and examples.

Prefixes

Prefix	Meaning	Example
a-, an-	without, not	anaerobic (without oxygen)
anti-	against, opposite	antibody (acts against foreign substances)
bio-	life	biosphere (the living part of Earth)
endo-	within, inside	endoplasmic reticulum (a network of membranes inside the cell)
epi-	on, over, outside	epidermis (the outermost layer of skin)
eu-	true, well	eukaryote (an organism with true nucleus)
exo-	outside	exoskeleton (a hard outer covering on animals)
hyper-	over, excessive	hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure)
hypo-	under, below	hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature)
inter-	between	intercellular (occurring between cells)
macro-	large	macromolecule (a large molecule)
micro-	small	microorganism (a very small living organism)
mono-	single	monomer (a single molecule)
multi-	many	multifactorial (caused by multiple factors)
neo-	new	neocortex (the most recent part of the brain to evolve)
para-	beside, near	parathyroid (glands located near the thyroid gland)
peri-	around	pericardium (a membrane around the heart)
poly-	many	polypeptide (a chain of many amino acids)
pre-	before	precursor (a molecule that precedes another in a pathway)
pro-	forward, in favor of	prokaryote (an organism without true nucleus)

Suffixes

Suffix	Meaning	Example
-ase	enzyme	lactase (an enzyme that breaks down lactose)
-cyte	cell	leukocyte (a white blood cell)
-derm	skin, layer	epidermis (the outermost layer of skin)
-genesis	production, formation	biogenesis (the formation of living organisms)
-logist	one who studies	biologist (one who studies biology)
-lysis	destruction, breakdown	hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells)
-oma	tumor	carcinoma (a type of cancer)
-osis	condition, process	osmosis (the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane)
-pathy	disease	cardiopathy (disease of the heart)
-phage	eater, devourer	bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria)
-phore	carrier	hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen in blood)
-plasm	substance, fluid	cytoplasm (the fluid inside a cell)
-some	body	chromosome (a structure that carries genetic information)
-stat	stable, constant	thermostat (a device that keeps temperature constant)
-tropism	response to stimulus	phototropism (growth response to light)
-zyme	enzyme	amylase (an enzyme that breaks down starch)

Understanding the prefixes and suffixes used in biology terminologies is crucial for deciphering complex scientific concepts and communicating effectively in the field of biology. By incorporating these prefixes and suffixes into your vocabulary, you can enhance your comprehension of biological processes, expand your scientific knowledge, and excel in your studies or professional endeavors.

Biology Terminologies - Prefix and Suffix (Quick Review Notes)

by William Pitts

4 out of 5