Biology: Biochemistry Unit Vocabulary with Greek, Latin and French Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes
Word
Definition
1. acid
A compound that, in solution in an ionizing
solvent (usually water), gives rise to hydrogen
ions (H+ protons).
Characteristics: Acids
 are proton donors and accept electrons to
form ionic bonds;
 react with bases to form salts;
 act as solvents;
Strong acids are corrosive; dilute acids have a
sour or sharp taste like vinegar; capable of
neutralizing alkalis; redden blue litmus paper.
The breakdown of pyruvate in the presence of
oxygen converting it to carbon dioxide, water,
and energy.
(aerobic=in the presence of oxygen)
(respiration=1. act of breathing
2. process by which oxygen and carbohydrates
are assimilated into the system and the
oxidation products of carbon dioxide and water
are given off)
An organic compound characterized by the
presence of an amino group (NH2) and a
carboxyl group (COOH) on the same carbon
atom. Water-soluble organic molecule mainly
composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and
nitrogen. Basic component of protein.
Characteristics:
 When 2 or more amino acids are joined
together they are peptides.
 Proteins are made up of polypeptides,
peptide chains
2. aerobic
respiration
3. amino acid
Prefix
Root
Suffix
Visual/Mnemonic
Related Words
L. acidu=sour
lemons
Related word:
acidic
Gr. aer=air
bio=life
L.respirare=to
exhale
spirare=to
breathe
Related words:
airplane,
aerodynamic,
airport
Related words:
inspire, spirit,
aspire, conspire
Carolee Smith, Kenwood High mentor/trainer
Adapted from: Johnson, Biology: Visualizing Life; Lafferty and Rowe, The Dictionary of Science; Clugston, The New Penguin Dictionary of Science; Barnhart and Stein, The American College Dictionary
Word
Definition
Prefix
Root
4. anaerobic
respiration
The chemical reactions that release energy from
food molecules in the absence of oxygen.
There are two types:
 Alcoholic fermentation
 Lactic acid fermentation
Gr.
an=not
Gr.
aer=air
bio=life
5. base
A substance that produces hydroxide ions in
water solution; a proton acceptor. Ex:
hydroxide ion (OH-) and ammonia (NH3) Bases
react with acids to give salt. Those that
dissolve in water are called alkalis.
The rise of a liquid in a tube of a small diameter
caused by unbalanced forces; also called
capillary rise.
(Capillary: pertaining to or occurring in a fine
tube.)
An organic compound composed of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen atoms attached in
approximately a 1:2:1 ration; carbohydrates
(sugars and starches) provide the majority of
energy to humans.
The process by which food molecules are
broken down to release energy for work.
C6H12O6 + O2
CO2 + H20 + Energy
L. basis=step,
pedestal, base
In physics, a phenomenon in which interaction
between two surfaces of the same material in
contact makes them cling together. Ex. surface
tension, which causes liquids to form spherical
droplets, is caused by cohesion.
L. cohaerere=
stick together
6. capillary action
7. carbohydrate
8. cellular
respiration
9. cohesion
Suffix
Visual/Mnemonic
Related Words
L. capillaries=
pertaining to the
hair
potatoes, corn,
fruit
water drop
Carolee Smith, Kenwood High mentor/trainer
Adapted from: Johnson, Biology: Visualizing Life; Lafferty and Rowe, The Dictionary of Science; Clugston, The New Penguin Dictionary of Science; Barnhart and Stein, The American College Dictionary
Word
Definition
10. compound
A substance composed of atoms of two or more
elements linked by chemical bonds.
11. enzyme
A protein that acts as a catalyst for biochemical
reaction.
An organic compound consisting of a
hydrocarbon chain, up to 24 carbon atoms long,
with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at the end: also
called carboxylic acid.
A class of organic compounds that includes fats
and waxes; an organic macromolecule that is
not soluble in water, but is soluble in oil. The
most important lipids are facts, which are
energy storage molecules
Inorganic compound, one not make from living
things.
12. fatty acid
13. lipid
14. minerals
15. molecule
Group of atoms held together by covalent bonds
that form the smallest unit of a substance that
can retain its chemical properties.
16. monosaccharide
The simplest carbohydrates or simple sugars;
containing 3, 5, or 6 carbon atoms.
Examples: glucose from starchy foods and
sugar and fructose, the sugar in fruits
Saccharide=the sugar molecule
Prefix
Root
Gr. en=in
Gr.
zyme=leaven
Gr. lipos=fat
Suffix
Visual/Mnemonic
Related Words
cooking oil
Related word:
liposuction
L. minera=ore
calcium in corn
potassium in
tomatoes
iron in peas
sodium in celery
L. moles=mass
L.
mono=one
monarchy,
monotonous,
monacle,
monologue
saccharine
Carolee Smith, Kenwood High mentor/trainer
Adapted from: Johnson, Biology: Visualizing Life; Lafferty and Rowe, The Dictionary of Science; Clugston, The New Penguin Dictionary of Science; Barnhart and Stein, The American College Dictionary
Word
Definition
17. nucleic acid
A major class of organic macromolecules. Two
types are large chainlike molecules:
DNA= deoxyribonucleic acid
RNA=ribonucleic acid
A subunit of DNA and RNA; in DNA they
form a series of units called genes.
L.
nucleus=nut,
kernel
19. nutrient
A food substance used as a source of energy or
of building material during metabolism.
L.
nutriens=nouris
hing
Related word:
nutritious
20. pH
Term used to describe the acidity of a solution.
Logarithmic value [H3O+]
Process by which organisms use the energy of
light to convert inorganic molecules into
organic molecules.
Gr. photo=light
Gr.
synthenai=to
put together
L. polus=pole
Related words:
photograph,
phototropic &
synthesis, synthetic
L. protos=first
Related words:
prototype
L. vita=life
Related words:
vital, vitality
18. nucleotide
21. photosynthesis
22. polar molecule
23. protein
A molecule in which charge is unevenly
distributed; one that has a partial negative
charge on one side and a partial positive charge
on the other.
A biological polymer of amino acids linked by
amide groups.
24. solution
A homogenous mixture composed of solute and
solvent.
25. solvent
The substance present in the greater amount in a
solution.
26. vitamins
A group of biochemicals that is necessary for
some enzymatic reactions to take place.
Prefix
Root
Suffix
Visual/Mnemonic
Related Words
Related word:
nuclear
Carolee Smith, Kenwood High mentor/trainer
Adapted from: Johnson, Biology: Visualizing Life; Lafferty and Rowe, The Dictionary of Science; Clugston, The New Penguin Dictionary of Science; Barnhart and Stein, The American College Dictionary
Word
Definition
27. water
A tasteless, odorless liquid, a compound of
hydrogen and oxygen, H2O.
28. biochemistry
The branches of chemistry and biology
associated with the study of the chemistry of
living systems and their products.
A molecular compound that does not contain
carbon. Examples: water and minerals
29. inorganic
30. organic
Prefix
Root
Suffix
Visual/Mnemonic
Related Words
Gr. bio=life
L. in=not
A molecular compound that does contain
carbon. Examples:
carbohydrates, lipds, proteins
Carolee Smith, Kenwood High mentor/trainer
Adapted from: Johnson, Biology: Visualizing Life; Lafferty and Rowe, The Dictionary of Science; Clugston, The New Penguin Dictionary of Science; Barnhart and Stein, The American College Dictionary