Helpful Prefixes and Suffixes
The next time you’re faced with a difficult vocabulary word, take a look at its different parts. Do you know what any of them mean? If you understand basic biology prefixes and suffixes, you are well on your way to understanding many difficult terms.
Aqua – meaning water. Think aquaponic, aquamarine, and aquarium.
Bi – meaning two or twice. Think biennial and bipods.
Bio – meaning life. Think biology and biologist!
Derm or Dermic – meaning skin. Think hypodermic, dermatology, dermatitis.
Ectomy – meaning to cut out. Think tonsillectomy or cystectomy
Hemo – meaning blood. Think hemoglobin or hemorrhage.
Hetero – meaning different or other. Think heterozygous.
Homo – meaning alike or the same. Think homozygous and homosapien.
Hydro – also meaning water. Think hydroponic.
Hypo – meaning under or less than. Think hypocalcemic or hypoallergenic.
Hyper – meaning over or more than. Think hyperactive or hyperbole.
Itis – meaning inflammation. Think appendicitis.
Macro – meaning large. Think macrobiotic or macrocosm.
Micro – meaning small. Think microscope or microorganism.
Plasm – meaning substance. Think cytoplasm or plasma.
Pneumo – meaning air or lungs.
Some – meaning body. Think chromosome.
