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Latin and Greek in BiologyLatin and Greek in Biology
Mrs. PenningMr. McFadden
BiologySt. Paul Public Schools
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How does it work in science? How does it work in science?
Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes, and root words can be used to make an infinite amount of words
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Why were Latin and (old) Greek Why were Latin and (old) Greek chosen for scientific terminology?chosen for scientific terminology? Both are more
descriptive than English (as well as lots of other languages)
Both are old (“dead”) languages that are unspoken and won’t change
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Overview Overview
epi
aqua
itis
renmyo
eco
geomicroBio
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#.#. Prefix/Suffix/Root Prefix/Suffix/Root
Meaning
Examples
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1)1) bio-bio-
“life”
biology, biologist, biosphere, biotechnology, biotic, biography, bioluminescence, biodiversity, symbiosis
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2)2) -ology-ology
“the study of”
biology, geology, dermatology, zoology
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3)3) -ologist-ologist
“person who studies”
biologist, geologist, zoologist
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4)4) scien-scien-
“to know; knowing”
science, scientist, scientific, omniscient, conscience
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5)5) geo-geo-
“earth or rock”
geology, geologist, geotropism
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6)6) -sphere-sphere
“globe or ball”
spherical, biosphere, atmosphere
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7)7) gen-, -gengen-, -gen
“to bring to life; to create”
genesis, generator, generation, genetics, gene, antigen, mutagen, carcinogen
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8)8) non-, in-, un-non-, in-, un-
“not”
nonliving, nonverbal, nonviolent, nonpolar, inactive, inefficient, intangible, unhealthy, unable
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9)9) cyto-, -cytecyto-, -cyte
“cell”
cytology, cytologist, leukocyte, erythrocyte, endocytosis, exocytosis, osteocyte
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10)10) -scope-scope
“instrument or tool”
microscope, telescope, stethoscope, periscope, colonoscopy
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11)11) micro-micro-
“very small”
microbe, microscope, microbiology, microtubule
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12)12) uni-uni-
“one”
unicycle, unibrow, uniform, unite, unicellular
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13)13) multi-multi-
“many”
multicultural, multi-talented, multi-tasking, multicellular
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14)14) cardi-cardi-
“heart”
‘cardiac’ arrest, cardiovascular, pericardium
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15)15) myo-myo-
“muscle”
myocyte, myosin, myocardium, myopathy
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16)16) hema-, hemo-hema-, hemo-
“blood”
hemoglobin, hemophilia, hematoma, hemolysis, hematite
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17)17) cereb-cereb-
“brain”
cerebrum, cerebral, cerebellum
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18)18) gastro-gastro-
“stomach”
gastrointestinal, gastric juices, gastritis
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19)19) hepato-hepato-
“liver”
hepatitis, hepatic, hepatectomy
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20)20) nephro-nephro-
“kidney”
nephron, nephritis, nephrotomy
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21)21) ren-ren-
“kidney”
renal (failure), rennin, renal
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22)22) pulmo-pulmo-
“lung”
pulmonary, CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation)
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23)23) epi-epi-
“upon or above”
epidermis, epicenter, epiglottis, epidemic, epithelial (tissue), epiphyte
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24)24) -derm--derm-
“skin or covering”
dermatologist, epidermis, endoderm, echinoderm
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25)25) -itis-itis
“inflammation of ; swelling”
dermatitis, gingivitis, hepatitis, conjunctivitis, endocarditis
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26)26) osteo-osteo-
“bone”
osteoporosis, osteology, osteocyte, periosteum
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27)27) eco-eco-
“habitat; environment”
ecology, ecosystem, ECOLAB
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28)28) aqua-aqua-
“water”
aquarium, aquatic, aquatennial
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29)29) terra-terra-
“earth; land”
terrace, terrarium, terrestrial, terra firma
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30)30) inter-inter-
“between”
interview, intersection, interoffice (memo), interphase, interdependent, intervertebral
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31)31) intra-intra-
“within”
intravenous, intrauterine device (IUD), intracellular
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32)32) extra-extra-
“outside, beyond”
extraordinary, extravaganza, extracurricular, extraterrestrial (E.T.), extracellular (digestion), extrapolate
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33)33) sym-/synsym-/syn - -
“together/with”
symphony, sympathy, symbiosis, synthetic, synapse, synchronize
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34)34) ism-ism-
“belief/ theory”
materialism, sexism, racism, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, gradualism
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35) macro-35) macro-
“larger”
macroscopic, macromolecule, macroeconomics
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36)36) carbo-carbo-
“containing carbon”
carbon dioxide, carbohydrate, carbonize, carbonic (acid)
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37)37) mon-, mono-mon-, mono-
“one”
monopoly, monologue, monotone, monorail, monarchy, monomer, monosomy, monocot
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38)38) di-di-
“two”
division, dialogue, diploid, dihybrid, dichotomous, dicot
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39)39) sacch-sacch-
“sugar”
saccharin, monosaccharide, disaccharide
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40)40) poly-poly-
“many”polygon, polygraph,
polymer, polysaccharide, polypeptide, polygenic (trait)
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41)41) lip-lip-
“fat, oil, wax” liposuction, lipid, lipid bilayer
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42)42) -ose-ose
“fullness, origin” (generally in biology refers to a “sugar or
starch”)
sucrose, dextrose, glucose, lactose, cellulose
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43)43) lact-, lacto-lact-, lacto-
“milk”
lactose (intolerant), lactate, lactobacillus, lactase
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44)44) oxy-oxy-
“containing oxygen, O”
carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygenate, deoxygenate
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45)45) de-de-
“removing”
denature (proteins), deoxyribose sugar, DeoxyriboNucleic Acid (DNA), decompose
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46)46) -ase-ase
(generally in biology refers to “an enzyme to break down an –ose”)
cellulase, lactase, salivary amylase, sucrase
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47)47) homo-, homeo-homo-, homeo-
“like, same, similar”
homosexual, homogeneous, homeostasis, homozygous, homologous
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48)48) therm-, -thermtherm-, -therm
“heat”
thermometer, ectotherm, endotherm
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49)49) neuro-neuro-
“nerve”
neuron, neurology, neurotransmitter
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50) photo- 50) photo-
“light” photograph,
photosynthesis, phototropic
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51) –graph- 51) –graph-
“writing (picture)” photograph,
biography, polygraph, graphite
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52) phospho- 52) phospho-
“contains phosphorus – P” phosphate, phospholipid
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53) hydro- 53) hydro-
“water”hydroelectric (dam),
hydrant, dehydrate, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, hydrolysis, hydroponics
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54) –philos, -philic 54) –philos, -philic
“loving” hydrophilic, philharmonic, philately,
philosophy
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55) –phobia, -phobos 55) –phobia, -phobos
“fearing” arachnophobic, claustrophobic,
hydrophobic, xenophobia
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56) bi- 56) bi-
“two” bicycle, binoculars, bifocals, bipolar, lipid
bilayer, binomial name, binary fission, bilateral, bipedal
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57) -plasm 57) -plasm
“jelly-like substance; fluid” cytoplasm, nucleoplasm, protoplasm
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58) chrom- 58) chrom-
“colored” chromosome, chromatography
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59) soma-, -some 59) soma-, -some
“body” somatic cell, chromosome, lysosome
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60) pro-60) pro-
“for or before”prolife, prochoice, prokaryote
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61) -kary- 61) -kary-
“nucleus” prokaryote, eukaryote
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62) eu- 62) eu-
“true, real or good” eukaryote, eubacteria
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63) endo- 63) endo-
“inner” endoderm, endotherm, endosperm
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64) ecto- 64) ecto-
“outer” ectoderm, ectotherm, ectoplasm
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65) mito- 65) mito-
“thread-like” mitochondria, mitosis
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66) -lys- 66) -lys-
“break open” Lysol, analysis, lysosome, hydrolysis,
lysogenic, catalysis
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67) chlor- 67) chlor-
“green” chlorophyll, chloroplast
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68) –phyll 68) –phyll
“leaf”chlorophyll, microphyll
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69) leuco-, leuko- 69) leuco-, leuko-
“white” leukemia, leukocyte
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70) erythro- 70) erythro-
“red” erythrocyte, erythromycin
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71) -plast 71) -plast
“particle” chloroplast, leucoplast
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72) semi- 72) semi-
“part(ly)” semisweet, semicolon, semiautomatic,
semicircle, semi-permeable
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73) per- 73) per-
“through”perennial, permeate,
semi-permeable
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74) hyper-74) hyper-
“over or beyond”hyperactive, hyperthermia, hyperextended,
hypertension, hypertonic
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75) iso-75) iso-
“equal” isosceles triangle, isotope, isomer, isotonic
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76) hypo-76) hypo-
“under or less than”hypothermia, hypodermic (needle),
hypotonic
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77) exo- 77) exo-
“outer” exit, exon, exoskeleton, exocytosis
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78) -osis 78) -osis
“process” symbiosis, exocytosis, endocytosis,
osmosis
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79) 79) tri-tri-
“three” triangle, tricycle,
tripod, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
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80) 80) auto-auto-
“self or itself”autotroph,
automatic, autograph, autobiography
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82) –82) –troph-troph-
“feeder, feeding” autotroph,
heterotroph, trophic level,…trophy…
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81) 81) hetero-hetero-
“different”heterosexual,
heterogeneous, heterotroph, heterozygous
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83) 83) synthesissynthesis
“make or produce”
photosynthesis, chemosynthesis
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84) 84) a-, an-a-, an-
“without”abiotic, asexual,
acellular, amorphous, anaerobic
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85) 85) ) centr-) centr-
“central”centerpiece,
egocentric, ethnocentric, centrioles, centromere
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86) 86) meta-meta-
“along with many”metabolism,
metamorphosis, metaphase
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87) 87) tele-, telo-tele-, telo-
“far away; end” telephone,
telegraph, telepathy, telophase
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88) 88) –oid–oid
“like or resembling”spheroid, asteroid, haploid, diploid,
humanoid, anthropoid
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89) 89) meio-meio-
“less, decrease”meiosis
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90) 90) gameto-gameto-
“reproductive germ cell”gamete, gametogenesis, gametocyte
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91) 91) germgerm
“seed, sprig”germ cell, germinate,
germicide, wheat germ
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92) 92) –filia-, -filius-–filia-, -filius-
“daughter/son”affiliation, first filial (F1), second filial (F2)
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93) 93) –zyg-–zyg-
“tied together”zygote,
homozygous, heterozygous
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94) 94) co-co-
“with or together”cooperation, coworker, co-ed, cohesion,
codominant, coevolution
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95) 95) heli-heli-
“spiral, screw”helicopter, helical, “double helix” (DNA)
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96) 96) trans-trans-
“across” transport, transplant, transatlantic (flight),
transaction, transcription, translation, translocation
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97) 97) septi-septi-
“rotted”septic tank, antiseptic, aseptic, septicemia
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98) 98) anti-anti-
“against”antibacterial, antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-
inflammatory, anti-social, anti-perspirant, antigen, anticodon
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99) 99) muta-muta-
“change”mutilate, mutation,
mutate, mutable, mutagen
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100)100) onco- onco-
“cancer”oncology, oncologist, oncogene
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101) 101) carcin-carcin-
“cancer”carcinogen, carcinoma
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102) radia- 102) radia-
“go out from; spread out”
radiate, radial (symmetry), radioactive, (adaptive) radiation
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103) taxi-103) taxi-
“arrangement” taxidermy,
taxonomy, taxonomist
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104) phyl-104) phyl-
“tribe or class (grouping)”
phylum, phylogeny, phylogenetic tree
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105) nomen-, nomin-105) nomen-, nomin-
“name” nominate, misnomer,
nomenclature, binomial nomenclature
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106) onto-106) onto-
“being” ontogeny, ontology,
ontological “Ontogeny capitulates
phylogeny.”
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107) viru-107) viru-
“slime, ooze (poison)”
virus, virology, virulent
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108) retro-108) retro-
“backward” (in) retrospect,
retrospective, retrograde, retrovirus
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109) vacc-109) vacc-
“cow” vaccine, vaccination,
vaccinal
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110) -patho(s)-110) -patho(s)-
“disease or suffer” pathetic, empathy,
psychopath, pathology, pathogen
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111) bac-111) bac-
“rod or stick”bacteria, bacillus,
bacteriocide
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112) -cide112) -cide
“to kill” homicide, suicide,
insecticide, pesticide, herbicide
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113) -cocc-113) -cocc-
“round” streptococcus,
pneumococcus
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114) spire-114) spire-
“coil” spiral, spirillum
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115) archae-115) archae-
“ancient, original” archaic, archaeology,
archaebacteria, archaeopteryx
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116) proto-116) proto-
“first” prototype,
protoplasm, protozoa
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117) zo-117) zo-
“animal” zoo, zoology,
zoologist, protozoa
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118) pseudo-118) pseudo-
“false” pseudonym,
pseudoscience, pseudopod
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119) -ped(e)-, -pod-119) -ped(e)-, -pod-
“foot, leg” pedestrian, pedal,
pedicure, expedition, centipede, millipede, bipedal, podiatrist, pseudopod, gastropod
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120) -morph-120) -morph-
“form, shape” metamorphosis,
metamorphic, amorphous, polymorphic
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121) –flagel-121) –flagel-
“whip” flagellum,
flagella, zooflagellate
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122) cilia-122) cilia-
“little hairs” cilium, cilia, ciliophoran
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123) fung-123) fung-
“mushroom, toadstool” fungus, fungi, fungal,
fungicide
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124) myco-124) myco-
“fungus”mycology, mycologist,
mycobacterium
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125) rhizo-125) rhizo-
“root” rhizome, rhizoid,
Rhizopus nigrans (bread mold), rhizopod
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126) amphi-126) amphi-
“both; two kinds” amphibian,
amphibious, amphipod, amphibolite
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127) herpe-127) herpe-
“reptile, snake” herpetology,
herpetologist
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128) icthy-128) icthy-
“fish” ichthyology,
icthyologist, icthyoid
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129) ornitho-129) ornitho-
“bird”ornithology,
ornithologist
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130) avi-130) avi-
“bird” aviation, avian,
aviary, aviculture
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131) herba-131) herba-
“grass, herb, leafy portion”
herbal, herbivore, herbaceous, herbicide
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132) carni-132) carni-
“flesh” carnivore, carnal,
carnival
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133) omni-133) omni-
“many” omnitheatre,
omnivore, omnipotent
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134) -vore-134) -vore-
“eating; to devour” voracious, carnivore,
herbivore, omnivore
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That’s All FolksThat’s All Folks
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SummarySummary
Tests and quizzes to follow