Language/Modern-greek-1453/Vocabulary/Greek-Roots-in-Biology

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Greek Roots in Biology

What is biology?[edit | edit source]

The word biology is derived from the Greek words bios meaning "life" and logos meaning "study" and is defined as the science of life and living organisms.

An organism is a living entity made up of a cell, e.g. bacteria, or multiple cells, e.g. animals, plants and fungi.

Aspects of biological science range from the study of molecular mechanisms in cells to the classification and behavior of organisms, the evolution of species and the interaction between ecosystems.

Biology often overlaps with other sciences; for example, biochemistry and toxicology along with biology, chemistry and medicine; biophysics with biology and physics; stratigraphy with biology and geography; astrobiology with biology and astronomy. Social sciences such as geography, philosophy, psychology, and sociology may also interact with biology, for example, in the administration of biological resources, developmental biology, biogeography, evolutionary psychology, and ethics.

Biology is the branch of science that studies life and living organisms. There are many branches of science that are part of biology, including ecology (how organisms interact with their environment), agriculture (the study of the production of crops from the earth), biochemistry (the chemical reactions necessary to support life), botany (the study of plants), physiology (how living organisms work), and zoology (the study of animals). 

Common Roots in Biology[edit | edit source]

Students in introductory biology lessons usually have to learn more new vocabulary words than students in a foreign language! The good news is that many words in scientific vocabulary use the same Greek and Latin roots. When you know these roots, you can understand what a word means, even if you've never heard it before. This chart shows you many roots to help you decipher the words you hear in biology class.

Greek or Latin Root Greek or Latin? Meaning Examples
A-, An- Greek Non-existence of life
  • Abiotic: without life
  • Anoxygenic: without oxygen
Ab-, Abs- Latin removal or cutting away Abscission: separation of leaves from tree
Aqua- Latin containing water Aqueous: watery
Allo- Greek other, different Allosteric: another binding site
Bi- Latin in compounds Bilayer: double layered
Bio- Greek life + science Biology: the study of life
-cide Latin cutter, killer, slayer Bacteriocidal: kills bacteria
Cyt Greek cyto- : cell + -plasm. Cytoplasm: the fluid inside a cell
Di- Greek "two" and cognate with bi-  Disaccharide: a carbohydrate made of two simple sugars
Dis- Latin lack of, not Disjoin: separate
Endo- Greek inside, within, internal Endocytosis: a process that brings things into a cell
Epi- Greek on, upon, above Epidermis: the uppermost layer of tissue covering an organism
Eu- Greek good, well Eukaryotes have a true nucleus
Ex- Greek-Latin out of, from within Exocytosis: a process that puts things out of cells
Geno- Greek generation, race Genetics: the study of heredity
Hetero- Greek the other of two Heterozygous: a cell that has two different versions of a gene
Homo- Greek the same,one and the same Homozygous: a cell that has two identical versions of a gene
Hypo- Greek under, beneath; less, less than Hypotonic: has a lower concentration of solutes
Hyper- Greek over, above, beyond Hypertonic: has a greater concentration of solutes, hyperactive
Inter- Latin between, among, during Interphase: the cellular phase between cell divisions
Iso- Greek equal to, the same as; equally divided; fair, impartial (of persons); Isotonic: has same concentration of solutes
Locus Latin spot, locality A locus on a chromosome is the place where a gene is located
Macro- Greek long, abnormally large,on a large scale Macrophage: a large phagocyte
-meter Greek device or instrument for measuring Centimeter: a measurement that’s 1/100 of a meter
Micro- Greek small in size or extent, microscopic Microbiology: the study of living things too small to see with the naked eye
Mono- Greec one, single, alone Monosaccharide: a single simple sugar, monotheism 
Olig- Greek few, scanty, small, little Oligosaccharide: a short chain of sugars, oligarchy
Ped-, Pod Greek footstep, step Pseudopod: a “false foot” or projection of an amoeba, antipodes
Phago- Greek eating, devouring Phagocytosis: a process where a white blood cell engulfs and destroys bacteria and viruses, Anthropophagus
-phil Greek common suffix in personal names Hydrophilic: mixes well with water, Philippos, Theophilos
Poly- Greek many, much, multi-, one or more Polypeptide: a chain of many amino acids, Polynesia
-phobia Greek excessive or irrational fear, horror, or aversion Hydrophobic: doesn’t mix with water, anthropophobia (fear of man)
Pro- Greek beforehand, in advance, Prokaryotes: cells that evolved before nucleated cells, problem
Stom- Greek mouth; mouthpiece, mouth of a river, any outlet or inlet. Stomates: openings in the surfaces of leaves
Zoo- Greek animal, living being,source also of Greek bios : life Zoology: the study of animals, zoophilia 

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Author[edit | edit source]

Marianthi

  • Ευγενική χορηγία που στοχεύει να βοηθήσει μαθητές ή μη, απανταχού της Γης, που επιδίδονται στην εκμάθηση της ελληνικής γλώσσας!
  • Contribution bénévole visant à aider les personnes, partout dans le monde, qui sont engagées dans l'apprentissage de la langue grecque !
  • Voluntary contribution aimed at helping people, all over the world, who are committed to learning the Greek language !    

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