Word Roots
How to build a science
vocabulary
A. Science Vocabulary
►1.)
Words are invented as they
are needed. When a scientist
makes a new discovery a new
word is made to describe it.
2. Science words are usually
made from combinations of
ancient Greek or Latin roots,
prefixes, or suffixes.
a) A root is the main part of a word
b) A prefix is a word part at the front of
a word
c) suffix is a word part at the end of a
word
B. Examples of root words:
Example 1
The root cyto - or - cyte means cell.
- ology means the study of …
If the two roots are combined ...
Cytology means “the study of cells.”
Example 2
1) The root “-bio” means life
The word biology means the study of life
Example 3
1) The root “lysis” means to burst
2) The root “-cyto” means cell
In a process called cytolysis a cell bursts.
Other examples….
-tomy means to cut
appendectomy – surgery to cut out the
appendix
-path means disease
pathogen - organism that causes
disease
Try these:
1.) What is a pseudopod
if pseudo means false and pod means foot?
2.) What is a microscope if micro- means
very small and –scope means instrument to
see something
C. Why learn root words?
►If
you know the meaning of a word
root it is possible to determine the
meaning of a word. The same root
may be used for many words.
For example…
Using the suffix “-ology”:
1. Biology is the study of life.
2. Cytology is the study of cells.
3. Embryology is the study of early
development.
Try this:
Which of the words
a) homeostasis
on the right
means the study b) ecology
of living things
c) metamorphosis
and their
environment?
Try this:
Which of the words below means the
study of disease?
biology
b) ecology
c) pathology
a)
Try this:
►Do
you remember what the root “cyte” means?
erythro- means red, what is an
erythrocyte?
►If
Perfect!
►
An erythrocyte is a red blood cell.