Biology Greek and Latin Root Words
Biology is a “science of words.” Unlike other branches of scientific study such as physics
and chemistry, which rely heavily on mathematical formulas and calculations, most
biological concepts are explained through words. Words are also used to describe your
observations, to make your inferences, and explain your conclusions.
In biology, you will encounter many words that will be new to you. Most of them are
based on ancient Greek and Latin languages. Many are used only when talking about
biology. In this class, you will be more comfortable, and more successful, if you learn
some of these words and use them as much as possible in class discussions and in your
writing.
Listed below are some of the more common biology root words.
Please learn each root word and its definition. If you learn the examples and their meanings, you
might find it helpful.
Root Word
Examples
A
a, an – without
ab – away from
ad – towards
aero – air
alb – white
amnio – fetus
amoeb – change
amphi – both
andr – male
anis – unequal
antho – flower
anthro – human
anti - against, opposite
archae – ancient
arcto – north
arthro – joint
aur – ear
auto – self
avi – bird
acellular, asexual, anaerobic
abdomen, abduct
adduction, adhesion
aerobic, aerodynamic
albino, albumen
amnion, amniocentesis
amoeba
amphibian
androsterone, androgeny
anisodactyl, anisogamy
anther, anthocyanin
anthropogenic
antibiotic, antibody
archeology, Archaeopteryx
Arctic, Antarctic
arthropod, arthritis
aural, auditory
autotroph, automobile
avian
B
bi – two
bio – life
blast – germ, bud
brachi- arm
brachy- short
brady- slow
bipedal, binomial, binocular
biology, biodiversity, biosphere
blastula, erthyroblast
brachiopod, brachiosaurus
brachytherapy, brachytdactyl
bradycardia
C
cani- dog
capill- hair
card- heart
cauda- tail
cav- hollow
centi- hundred
centri – center
cephal- head
cerebro- brain
cerv- neck
chemi – chemical
chlor- green
chrom- color
chrys- golden
cide – kill
circum- around
co- together
corp- body
crani – skull
cycl- circular
cyt- cell
canine, Canidae
capillary
cardiac, cardiopulmonary
caudal
cave, cavity, vena cava
centimeter, centipede
centromere, centriole
cephalothorax
cerebrum, cerebellum
cervical
chemosynthesis, chemotherapy
chlorophyll, chloroplast
chromosome
chrysalis
herbicide, homicide, suicide
circumduction, circumnavigate
codominance, coevolution, cooperate
corpse, corpus
cranium
cycle, unicycle
cytokinesis, cytoplasm, leucocyte
D
dactyl- finger, toes
deci- ten
de- away from
dendr- tree
dent- tooth
derm- skin
di- two
dia- through
dino- terrible
diplo- double
dont- tooth
dors- back
duct – to carry
dur- hard
Pterodactyl, anisodactyl, zygodactyl
decimeter, decade
deciduous, decomposer
dendrology, dendrite
dental, dentist
epidermis, dermatologist
dihedral, dissect
diameter, diaphragm
dinosaur, dinoflagellate
diploid, diplocephalus
orthodontist, mastodon
dorsal
abduct, oviduct
durable, endure
E
echino- spiny
eco- house
ecto- outside
endo- inside
epi- upon
equi- horse, equal
erythr- red
eu- true, genuine
ev- change
exo, extra- outside
echinoderm
ecology, ecosystem
ectoderm, ectotherm
endocrine, endotherm
epidermis, epiphyte
equine, equilateral
erythrocyte
eukaryote, Eubacteria
evolution, evaporation
exocytosis, exoskeleton, extracellular
F
facil- easy
feli- cat
fer- carry
fil – thread
flagell – whip
fol- leaf
fru – fruit
facilitator, facilitated diffusion
feline, Felidae
transfer, conifer
filament
flagellum
foliage, follicle
fructose, fruiticose
G
gam-sexual
gastro- stomach
gen- source, origin
glu – sweet
gamete
gastrointestinal, gastric
gene, genus, Genesis
glucose, glycolysis
H
hemo- blood
haplo- single, simple
hepa- liver
herb – plant
hetero- different
homi – man
homo- same
hormon- that which excites
hydr- water
hyper- above
hypo- beneath
hemoglobin, hematology
haploid
hepatic
herbivore, herbicide
heterosexual, heterozygous
hominid, hominoid
homosexual, homozygous, homeostasis
hormone
hydrate, hydrant
hyperactive
hypodermic
I
ichthy- fish
incis- cut into
infra- under
inter- between
intra- within
iso- equal
ichthyology, Ichthyosaurus
incision, incisor
infrared
interspecific, interstate
intravenous
isothermal, isodactyl
K
kilo- thousand
kilogram
L
leo- lion
leuc- white
lip- fat
logy – study of
lupi – wolf
leonine, leopard
leucocyte, leucoplast
lipid, liposuction
biology, zoology
lupine
M
macr- large
mamma- breast
macroevolution, macronucleus
mammal, mammary gland
melan- dark
mer- part
meso- middle
meta- following, change
micro- small
mito- thread
mono- one
morph- form
multi- many
myco- mushroom
myo- muscle, mouse
myx- slime
melanin, melatonin
isomer, polymer
mesoderm, mesothelioma
metaphase, metamorphosis
microscope, micobiology
mitosis, mitochondria
monomer, monosaccharide
morphology, metamorphosis
multicellular
mycology
myoglobin, myocardium
myxameba, myxomycete
N
neur – nerve
neuron, neurotransmitter
O
omni – all
ortho – straight
osteo – bone
ova-, ovi- egg
omnivore
orthodontist, orthopedic
osteopath
ovary, oviduct
P
par – near
path – disease
ped, pod – foot
photo – light
phyll – leaf
plast – particle
poly - many
post – after
pre- before
prim- first
pro, proto – first
psuedo- false
ptera-, ptero – wing
parasite
pathogen
pedal, biped, quadruped, tripod
photosynthesis, phototropism
chlorophyll, leucophyll
chloroplast, leucoplast
polymer, polysaccharide
postnatal
prenatal
primate, primary
Protozoa, prokaryote, prophase
pseudopod
Pterodactyl, Chiroptera
Q
quad – four
quadruped
S
soma, some – body
sperma – seed
stasis – position
syn – together
chromosome, lysosome
sperm, spermatazoa
homeostasis, metastasis
photosynthesis, chemosynthesis
T
therm- heat
thesis – arrangement
tropho- nourishment
tropic- turning
endothermic, exothermic
photosynthesis, hypothesis
autotroph, heterotroph
phototropism
U
uni – one
unicellular
V
ventr – belly
vora, vore – feeding
ventral
herbivore, omnivore
Z
zoa, zoo – animal
zyg – join together
zoology, Protozoa
zygote, heterozygous
http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/courses.hp/zool250/Roots/RootsMain.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/de/nestsite/modbiogreek.html