Prefixes & Suffixes
Scientific Vocabulary
a-
not, without amoral – not moral abiotic – not living
characteristics asexual – not sexual asymmetrical – not
symmetrical anaerobic – without oxygen
auto-
by itself
automatic – weapon that shoots by itself (without reloading)
autotroph – eats what it produces by itself
automobile – moves by itself
bi-
two, 2, both bipedal – walks on 2 feet biracial – born of 2 races bisexual – sex with 2 sexes binary fission – bacteria
reproduction of dividing into 2 parts
bilateral symmetry – symmetry of dividing into 2 sides
binomial nomenclature – naming of species by using 2 names
bio-
life, living
biology – study of living things biosphere – living things on the Earth biochemistry – chemistry of living
things biodiversity – diversity of living things biomolecules – molecules that make
up living things biomass – mass of living things biome – life zone biotic – living characteristics biotechnology – technology dealing
with life
mono-
one, 1 monomer – made out of only 1 unit
monohybrid – cross only 1 way
study of archeology – study of old human cultures
geology – study of the Earth hydrology – study of water psychology – study of human
mind
-logy
hetero-
different, other heterotroph – eats what others produce
heterosexual – sex with the other sex
heterozygous – different alleles
homo-
same, similar homosexual – sex with the same sex
homeostasis – same state (equilibrium)
homozygous – same alleles homologous chromosomes –
chromosomes of the same pair
homologous structures – structures similar because of common ancestry
POLY-
many polymer – made up of many units
polygenic inheritance – inheritance dealing with many genes
almost, half-way
semiconductor – a very weak conductor
semipermeable – somewhat permeable (lets some things through but others)
semifinals – almost finals, but not quite finals
semi-
Photo-
light photosynthesis – synthesis requiring light
photography – picture-making requiring light
photocell – battery cell requiring light
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