Analyzing Word Parts IV
Part of learning biology involves learning many new words. By breaking down some of the
words, you can more easily understand their meaning. The table below provides a simple
definition. Your job is to write and example of a word using the listed prefixes, suffixes, and root
words, and be able to match it with the definition.
Prefix, Suffix, or Root Word
Definition
Example Word
oo-
egg
-oma
swelling
org-
living
orth-
straight
pachy-
thick
para-
near,on
path-
disease
peri-
around
photo-
light
phyto-
plants
-pod
foot
poly-
many
pre-
before
-scope
instrument used to see something
semi-
partially
-some
body
sub-
under
super-, supra-
above
-tomy
to cut
trans-
across
Analyzing Word Parts IV
Part of learning Life Science involves learning many new words. By breaking down some of the words, you can more easily
understand their meaning. The table below provides a simple definition. Your job is to write and example of a word using the listed
prefixes, suffixes, or root words, and be able to match the word part with the definition.
Prefix, Suffix, or Root Word
Definition
Example Word
oo-
egg
-oma
swelling
org-
living
ortho-
straight
pachy-
thick
para-
near, on
path-
disease
peri-
around
photo-
light
phyto-
plant
-pod
foot
poly-
many
pre-
before
-scope
instrument used to see
semi-
partially
-some
body
sub-
under
super-, supra-
above
-tomy
to cut
trans-
across