Science Root Words

East Clarendon High School

11Root:

Definition:

Example:

A-

Without

Abiotic

Nonliving components of the biosphere

Vasquez Rock Formation-made famous by Power Rangers

22Root:

Definition:

Example:

Ab-

Away from

Abduction

A type of movement which draws a limb away from the median plane of the body

Abduction of the leg

33Root:

Definition:

Example:

Sphin-

Squeeze

Sphincter A structure, usually a circular muscle, that constricts to control passage through a bodily canal

Location of two sphincters in the GI tract

44Root:

Definition:

Example:

Thromb-

Clot

Thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot in a vessel obstructing the flow of blood

Deep Vein Thrombosis

55Root:

Definition:

Example:

Gon-

Seed, Offspring

Gonads The organ that produces gametes

Structure of an Ovary

66Root:

Definition:

Example:

Embol-

Wedge

Embolism When an object migrates

from one part of the body and cause a blockage in a vessel elsewhere in the body

Embolism in the Leg

77Root:

Definition:

Example:

Immun-

Protection

Immune SystemA collection of biological

processes that protects an organism from illness

White blood cell engulfing an Anthrax bacterium

88Root:

Definition:

Example:

-Cide

Kill, destroy

PesticideA substance used to kill unwanted pests-insect, mammal, pathogen

DDT being sprayed around people to kill mosquitoes

99Root:

Definition:

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Cervic-

Neck

Cervix

The neck of the uterus; lower narrow portion of the uterus that adjoins the vagina

Female Reproductive Diagram

1100

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Definition:

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Mal-

Bad

Malignant

Severe or worsening disease, commonly used to describe tumors that have the ability to cause death

A Malignant Melanoma-skin cancer

1111

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Definition:

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-Crin

Secrete

Endocrine

Body system that secretes extra- cellular chemical signals called hormones

Major Endocrine Glands

1122

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Definition:

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Aden-

Gland

Adenoma

A benign tumor (-oma) of a glandular origin

35lb Ovarian Adenoma

1133

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Definition:

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Macro-

Big,large

Macromolecule

A large molecule build through the polymerization of a monomer

The most important macromolecule-DNA

1144

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Micro-

Small, tiny

Microorganism

An organism that is to small to be seen by the human eye, also called a microbe

Protists Volvox, a colonial algae w/small colonies inside

1155

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Alb-

White

Albino

Characterized by the distinct lack of the pigment melanin

Two Albino Fallow Bucks-UK

1166

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Definition:

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Lact-

Milk

Lactose

The sugar that is most notably found in milk

Silk-Soy Milk is the great tasting alternative for people intolerant to lactose

1177

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Oculo-

Eye

Ocular

Perceived or pertaining to the eyes, or an eyepiece

The Human Eye

1188

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Circum-

Around

Circumference

The distance around the outside of a circle

The circumference around the worlds largest Sequoia is approx. 109 feet

1199

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Definition:

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Plegia-

Paralysis

Paraplegic

The impairment or loss of motor/sensory function in the lower extremities

Some paraplegics compete in sports, not designed for wimps-Murderball

2200

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Definition:

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Thorac-

Chest

Thoracic Cavity

The chamber of the human body that contains the vital organs-lungs and heart

Thoracic Cavity Diagram

2211

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Definition:

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Acoust-

Hearing

Acoustic Nerve

1 of 12 cranial nerves responsible for transmitting sound and equilibrium info to the brain

Auditory Nerve diagram

2222

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Definition:

Example:

Logy-

Study of

Biology

The science of studying living things

Blood sucking assassin bug also known as a “wheel bug”

2233

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Leukos-

White

Leukemia

A cancer of the blood, characterized by a prolific amount of white blood cells

3 yr. old, Maddox, was treated at St. Jude’s for acute myeloid leukemia

2244

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Definition:

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Lympha-

Water

Lymph Node Lymph nodes are found

throughout the body and act as filters or traps for foreign objects

Lymph node map

2255

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Definition:

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Lysis-

Loosen, breakdown

Lysosome A cell organelle filled with digestive enzymes that destroy excess and worn out organelles

Lysosome filled with digestive enzymes

2266

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Intra-

Inside

Intramuscular

Dealing with the inside of the muscle tissue

Intramuscular Injection Diagram

2277

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Inter-

Between

Interstitial Fluid

A solution which baths and surrounds the cells of a multi-celled organism

Process of delivering nutrients to a cell

2288

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Cyst-

Bladder

Cystitis

An inflammation of the urinary bladder

Urinary Bladder

2299

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Definition:

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Gen-

Initiation Agent

Antigen A substance that causes an immune response

How the immune system can respond to antigens

3300

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Definition:

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Super,Supra-

Above

Superior Vena CavaA Large yet short vein

that returns deoxygenated blood to the heart from the upper body

Heart Diagram showing venous structure

3311

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Definition:

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Melan-

Black

Melanoma

A malignant tumor of dark colored, pigment producing cells called melanocytes

ABCD’s of Melanoma Skin Cancer

3322

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Definition:

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Peri-

Around

Pericardium

The double-layered sac that contains the heart

Diagram of the Pericardium

3333

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Definition:

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-Rrhea

Flow, discharge

Diarreha The condition of having frequent loose or liquid bowel movements

Water reabsorbtion in the colon

3344

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Definition:

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Rhin-

Nose

Rhinoceros

A larger, highly endangered critter with a “horn” made out of matted hair

Rhino size comparison

3355

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Definition:

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Hyster-

Uterus

Hysterectomy

The surgical removal of the uterus

Before and After a Hysterectomy

3366

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Hepat-

Liver

Hepatic Artery

A short artery the supplied oxygenated blood to the liver

Vasculature of the Liver

3377

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Definition:

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-Rrage

Excessive flow

Hemorrhage Loss of blood from the circulatory system

Subconjuctival hemorrhage

3388

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Myo-

Muscle

Myocardium

The involuntary striated muscle found in the walls of the heart

Normal Heart Cross section

3399

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Polys-

Many

Polymer

A large molecule made of repeating structural units called monomers

DNA is a polymer made up of nucleic acids

4400

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Post-

After

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

One of the four major knee ligaments, keeps your knee from going backwards

PCL role in the knee

4411

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Pseudes-

False

Pseudopodium False Foot/ Temporary

protrusion of the cytoplasm used for locomotion by sarcodine protozoans

Structure of a sarcodine protozoans

4422

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Re-

Again

Reproduce

Biological process by which new organisms are produced

Hoverflies mating in mid-air

4433

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Muta-

Change

Mutagen

A physical or chemical agent the alters the genetic information of an organism

Frog that has been effected by mutagen

4444

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Pre-

Before

Prehistoric

The time before written history- since the beginning of the universe

Comparison of modern with prehistoric man-Neanderthal

4455

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Mast-

Breast

Mastectomy

Surgical removal of one or both of the breasts

Mastectomy diagram

4466

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Arter-

Artery

Arteriosclerosis

Hardening of the arteries

Diagram of a normal blood vessel

4477

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Definition:

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Natal-

Birth

Prenatal

The period of gestation for a embryo or fetus, from conception till birth

Human fetus at 30 weeks pregnant

4488

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Al-

Pertaining to

Visceral Pertaining to the viscera, organs of the abdominal cavity

Diagram of the Visceral organs

4499

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Lass-

Torn

Laceration

Irregular tear-like wounds cause by blunt trauma

Hand Laceration

5500

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Meningo-

Membrane

Meningitis

Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, cause by microorganisms

Meninges of the Brain

5511

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Adip-

Fat

Adipose Tissue

Body Fat

Comparison of Adipose to Muscle tissue

5522

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Plasia-

Development

Dysplasia Bad or improper development of tissue

Hip dysplasia in pit bulls-Am. Pit Bull Registry

5533

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Zoo-

Animal

Zoology

The study of the structure, function and behavior of animals

Jeff Corwin is a famous zoologist and tv personality

5544

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Xeros-

Dry

Xerophyte

A plant that is able to survive in a very dry environment

This cactus is a good example of xerophyte

5555

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-Phyte

Plant

Halophyte

A plant that grows where it is naturally affected by salinity

Spartina alterniflora ( smooth cordgrass)

5566

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-Phile

Loving

Hydrophilic

Water loving

The cell membrane-the outside and inside of the bilayer is hydrophilic

5577

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Zygous-

Joined

Zygote

Fertilized egg, forms from the joining of the nuclei of a sperm and an egg

Formation of a zygote

5588

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Hyper-

Over, Higher

Hypertension

Chronic High Blood Pressure, above 140/90

Effects of Hypertension

5599

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Dys-

Difficult

Dysfunctional

Abnormal or impaired functioning

America’s favorite dysfunctional family-the Griffins

6600

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-Itis

Inflamation

Tonsillitis

An infection and inflammation of the tonsils

Bacterial Tonsillitis

6611

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Ectomy-

Cut out

Appendectomy

Surgical removal of the appendix

Diagram of the lower GI Tract with appendix

6622

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Gastro-

Stomach

Gastropod

Snails and Slugs,a major group of mollusks, are stomach footed animals

Torsion of the Intestinal tract routes the anus out on top of the head

6633

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Definition:

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-Poda

Foot

Cephalopod

Octopi and squid to name a few, a major group of mollusk, are head footed animals, with big eyes

The only live colossal squid ever found

6644

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Cephal-

Head

Cephalization

A natural trend where nervous tissue concentration in one end of the body

Cephalizaition of Plathelminthes-flatworms

6655

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Exo-

Out of

Exocytosis

Process used by cells to excrete cellular products or wastes

Nerve cell secreting dopamine

6666

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-Phage-

Eat, Destroy

Macrophage, Phagocyte

Big eaters, white blood cells within tissues are phagocytes that are part of the immune system

Macrophage ingesting bacterial cells

6677

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Definition:

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Flat-

Blow

Flatulence

The expulsion of gas produced during digestion through the rectum

An elephant produces enough gas in a day to propel a car 20 miles

6688

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Hypo-

Below

Hypothermia

When the body’s core temperature drops below what is required for normal metabolism

Warming signs of hypothermia

6699

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Ef-

Away

Effluent

Outflowing of water from a natural or man-made structure

Effluent pipe from an India treatment plant

7700

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-Emia

Condition of blood

Anemia “Lack of blood”, low red blood cell count

Iron-deficient anemia is the most common

Anemic vs normal blood cell counts

7711

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Tachy-

Fast, Rapid

Tachycardia

Acceleration of the heart beyond normal heart rhythm

Focal tachycardia in left atrium

7722

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Osteo-

Bone

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease

Osteoarthritis of the knee

7733

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-Oma

Tumor

Sarcoma

A cancer of the connective tissue, most present some dermal evidence

Kaposi’s sarcoma

7744

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Hydro-

Water

Hydrolysis

The splitting of water molecules in hydrogen and hydroxide ions

Water can also be split electrically

7755

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Inter-

Between

Internode

Part of a plant that creates distance between leaves, flowers and stems

A plant with nodes and internodes labeled

7766

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Hema-

Blood

Hematologist

A person who studies blood

Blood of the late Tom Prosser, formation of echinocytes 8hrs after invenomation

7777

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Cost-

Rib

Intercostals

A group of several muscles that run between the ribs

Deep muscles of the chest

7788

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Definition:

Example:

-Globin

Protein

Hemoglobin

The iron-containing oxygen transporting protein of the red blood cells

Hemoglobin diagram

7799

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Arth-

Joint

Arthropod

An invertebrate with an exoskeleton and jointed legs

I hate these arthropods

8800

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Geront-

Old

Gerontology

The study of social, psychology and biology of growing old

Old woman looking out the window

8811

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Sub-

Under

Subdural Hematoma

Traumatic brain injury where blood pools in the coverings around the brain

Subdural Hematoma diagram

8822

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Meta-

Changed

Metabolism

The combined effect of all chemical reactions in the body

Metabolic reactants vs products

8833

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-Trope

Turn

Heliotropism

A diurnal motion of plant parts toward the direction of the sun

Sunflowers exhibit heliotropic movement

8844

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-Therm-

Heat

Endotherm

An organism whose body maintains thermal homeostasis

Weddell seals are marine endotherms

8855

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Terra-

Earth

Terrestrial

Having to do with the land, or the Earth

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

8866

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Syn-

Together

Synergy

Working together, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts

8877

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-Stasis

To Maintain

Homeostasis

To maintain the balance of a biological system

Creation of equilibrium over time

8888

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-Sect

Cut, Divide

Dissect

The process of disassembling and observing internal structures

The dissection of a camel

8899

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Troph-

Nourish

Heterotroph

An organism that eats other organism for food

Indian pipe is a myco-heterotrophic plant

9900

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Photo-

Light

Photosynthesis

The process that autotrophs use to make their own food

Global photosynthesis map

9911

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Plateo-

Flat

Plateau

A high plain or tableland

Plateau photograph-ain’t it pretty

9922

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Para-

Beside

Parasite

Symbiotic relationship between two organisms where one benefits and one is harmed

Mouth of a parasitic hookworm

9933

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Pan-

All

Pangea

All Land, the super-continent that existed 250 MYA

This Dinosaur lived on pangea, he says “Not the mama!!!!”

9944

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Paleo-

Ancient

Paleontology

The study of prehistoric life

This dinosaur skeleton makes a great Museum specimen

9955

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-Scope

Look

Telescope

An instrument designed to observe remote objects, used since the 1600’s

The Hubble space telescope

9966

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Omni-

All

Omnivore

Organisms that eat both plant and animals for food

Goats are well known for eating just about anything

9977

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Necro-

Dead

Necrosis

Premature death of cells and living tissue

Necrotic leg wound from Brown Recluse Spider

9988

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Morph-

Form

Polymorphism

When two or more clearly different color forms exist in a population

Color variations of Claytonia flowers

9999

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Luna-

Moon

Lunar Cycle

Refers to the appearance of the illuminated portion of the moon, relative to the Earth

Lunar Cycle

100100Root:

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Iso-

Equal

Isotonic

Has equal portion of solute to solution -in reference to another solution

The importance of isotonic solution and the blood

101011

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Hemi-

Half

Hemipenis

One of a pair male sexual organs found in snakes and lizards

Hemipenes of Crotalus adamateus

101022

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Homo-

Alike, Same

Homozygous

When both copies (maternal and paternal) of a gene are alike

This stud is homozygous for all the right things-including standing funny

101033

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Hetero-

Different

Heterozygous

When both copies (maternal and paternal) of a gene are different

When crossed, heterozygous individuals can produce a variety of offspring

101044

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Herbi-

Grass/Plant

Herbaceous

A plant whose leaves and stems die down at the end of the growing season

A border of herbaceous plants-PRETTY

101055

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Halo-

Salt

Halophile

Organisms that thrive in very high concentrations of salt-Salt Loving

Halophilic bacteria cause the red pigment seen here in the Great Salt Lake, waterflow is restricted by a railroad crossing, making one end hypersaline

106106Root:

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Genesis-

Creation of

Biogenesis

The creation of lifeforms from other lifeforms

Spontaneous Generation

Luis Pasteur proved the idea of biogenesis-Finally

107107Root:

Definition:

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Folia-

Leaf

Foliage

Fall foliage in deciduous forests are triggered by temperature and light intensity changes

In this leaf, the fall colors are being exposed

108108Root:

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Eco-

House

Ecosystem

A natural unit consisting of all plants and animals in an area, along with abiotic factors

An aquatic ecosystem

109109Root:

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De-

Remove

Decompose

The process by which dead organisms are broken down into simpler forms of matter

Mushrooms growing on compost

111100

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Con-

Together

Convergent Evo.

The process by which unrelated organisms develop similar characteristics, in similar ecosystems

In similar yet distance environments, these organisms developed similar traits

111111

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Thulakos-

Pouch

Thylakoid

Pouches located inside chloroplast that are filled with chlorophyll

Structure of a Chloroplast

112112Root:

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Chloros-

Green

Chlorophyll

Green Pigment in plants and algae, absorbs light energy and stores it for photosynthesis

Absorption Spectra of Chlorophyll

111133

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Centi-

Hundred

Centimeter

1/100 of a meter

Old School Carpenter’s Rule

111144

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Cav-

Hollow

Cavity

A hole or structural damage to a tooth

Anatomy of a tooth

111155

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Carn-

Flesh/Meat

Carnivore

Organisms that eat only meat

Tiger eating a piece of yummy meat

111166

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Boreal-

Northern

Boreal Forest

Also known as the Taiga biome, it is characterized by northern latitude coniferous forests

Map of the North American boreal forests

111177

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Ad-

Next To

Adhesion

The tendency of dissimilar things to stick together due to an attractive force

Dew drops adhering to a spider web

111188

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Amphi-

Both Sides

Amphibian

Organisms whose live cycle can include both a terrestrial as well as an aquatic form

Dr. Brady Barr holding a giant salamander

111199

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Aeros-

Air

AerosolCommonly used as a propellant in aerosols, CFC’s or chlorofluorocarbons, have been phased out by the Montreal Protocol

CFC’s affect on ozone (O3) molecules

121200

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Aqua-

Water

Aquatic Relating to water, living in or near water, the aquatic biomes are separated into the marine and freshwater regions

An estuary mouth and coastal waters are part of the aquatic biome

121211

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Auto-

Self

AutotrophAn organism that produces produce complex organic compounds from simple inorganic ones, using an outside energy source

A hydrothermal vent community at the bottom of the ocean- based off of chemosynthetic bacteria that are autotrophs

121222

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Gyn-

Woman

Gynecology

Medical practice dealing with the health of the woman’s reproductive system

Most gynecologist are also obstetricians hence OB/GYN

121233

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Haplo-

Single

Haploid

Cells produced by the process of meiosis that have only one set of chromosomes as opposed to two

Haploid Life Cycle of a green algae

124124Root:

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Dors-

Back

Dorsal Fin

A fin located on the back of an animal

Dorsal fin markings on dolphins are used to identify individuals in a pod

121255

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Dent-

Tooth

DentistryIs the study of the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral conditions

The average salary of dentist is about $106 K

121266

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Cyte-

Cell

Monocyte

A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system.

Monocyte under a light microscope(40x) surrounded by red blood cells

121277

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Vora-

To Devour

Herbivore Leaf Miners feed on leaf tissue between epidermis layers leaving trails

Trails left by Leaf Miners

121288

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Andro-

Male

Androgen

Any natural or synthetic steroid hormone used to enhance or create masculine characteristics

Harmful effects of anabolic steroids

121299

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Artios-

Even

Artiodactyla

An order of even-toed ungulate mammals

Okapi ( Okapia johnstoni) a close relative of the giraffe

131300

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Askos-

Bag

Ascus

A sexual spore bearing sac found on certain fungi

Asci of Morchella elata , the black morel mushroom which contains spores

131311

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Chroma-

Colored

ChromatophorePigment containing and

light reflecting cells found on various species of animals

The amazing cuttlefish, can change its color instantly by using its chromatophores

131322

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Circa-

Around

Circadian Rhythm

Biological Clock, a 24 hr cycle of bodily processes that center around the days

The Human Clock

131333

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Dendro-

Tree

Dendrite



131344

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Dia-

Apart

Diastolic



135135Root:

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Derma-

Skin

Epidermis



131366

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Dormire-

Sleep

Dormancy



131377

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Echinos-

Membrane

Meningitis



131388

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Meningo-

Membrane

Meningitis



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Science Root Words