Base bi(o)-
Lesson 1
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: __________________
About the Root:
It’s a Small World, After All!
Directions: Answer the questions below. Then read the passage and answer the
question at the bottom of the page.
The Greek base bi(o)- means “life,” “live.” You may be familiar with the word biography,
describing a person’s “life” story. In science, the bi(o)- base refers to living organisms.
•
How does the word autobiography include the idea of “life,” “live”?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
•
The Greek suffix -ology means “study of.” What is biology?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Note: Do not confuse this base with bi-, which means “two” (e.g., bicycle, bisect). If you see
a word with bi- in it, ask yourself about the word’s core meaning. This will help you figure out
if the word is a “life” word or a “two” word. Also, the bi(o)- that means “life” is often followed
by the connecting o.
Earth is a vast planet in size. It measures nearly 8,000 miles (12,756 kilometers)
in diameter. But the zone that supports life is relatively thin. We call this zone the
biosphere, meaning “the life zone.” It consists of that portion of the air, soil, and
water that is capable of sustaining life. It ranges only about 6 miles (10 kilometers)
into the atmosphere and down to the deepest depth of the ocean floor. The
remainder of Earth’s enormous interior does not sustain life. Since only a tiny
percentage of Earth’s mass sustains life, scientists are often fascinated by the
prospects of life on other planets. Earth is the 5th largest planet in the solar system.
What do you think about the prospects of life on other planets?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
138
#50867—Getting to the Roots of Science Vocabulary
© Shell Education
Base bi(o)-
Lesson 1
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: __________________
About the Root:
Zoology and Botany (and More) = Biology
Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the question.
Zoology is the study of animals. Botany is the study of plants. Biology
combines these two. It is a natural science concerned with the study of life and
all living organisms. Biologists study the structure, growth, function, and origin of
living things.
Scientists have been interested
in plant and animal life since ancient
times. Several important discoveries
advanced their understanding. For
example, Van Leeuwenhoek popularized
the microscope in the late 1600s. This
eventually led to the development of
microbiology and increased attention to
cells. And this eventually led to the focus
on DNA, which is a current focus of a
great deal of study. Scientists from one
generation (or even century) build on the
achievements of others in the past.
Microscopes allow biologists to study cells.
Biology is a large and complex field of study. Yet all aspects of the science
share some basic principles, such as:
•
Cells are the basic unit of life.
•
Genes are the basic unit of heredity.
•
Both plants and animals can regulate their internal environments.
•
Both animals and plants consume and transform energy.
Which of the basic biological principles listed above do you think is most important? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
© Shell Education
#50867—Getting to the Roots of Science Vocabulary
139
Base bi(o)-
Lesson 1
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: __________________
Divide and Conquer:
Words Associated with Life
Directions: Use the Base/Prefix/Suffix Bank to identify the roots of the words below.
Write the letter from the Definition Bank for the correct word.
Base/Prefix/Suffix Bank
amphi- = “ around,” “on
both sides”
anti- = “against”
sym- = “with,” “together”
ops- = “look,” “see”
spher- = “globe,” “zone”
Definition Bank
A. removal and examination of living tissue, cells, or fluids
B. thriving both in water and on land
C. coexistence of two or more organisms for mutual survival
D. the zone of the Earth that sustains life
E. destroying the life of a microorganism
Word
First Base/
Prefix Means
Second Base/
Suffix Means
Definition
1. antibiotic
2. symbiosis
3. biopsy
4. amphibious
5. biosphere
140
#50867—Getting to the Roots of Science Vocabulary
© Shell Education
Base bi(o)-
Lesson 1
Name: ___________________________________________ Date: __________________
Making Connections:
Who/What Am I?
Directions: Match each phrase in the first column with its speaker in the second column.
Phrase
_____ 1. symbiotic partners
_____ 2. terrestrial biome
_____ 3. amphibious plants
_____ 4. exploratory biopsy
Context
A. I am the removal and examination of
living tissue or cells, looking for signs of
disease.
B. We are environment-friendly because
we are easily recycled; we do not spend
ages in a landfill.
_____ 5. aerobic exercise
C. I can get your blood pumping with
oxygen.
_____ 6. biohazardous materials
D. I try to destroy my enemy with
chemicals.
_____ 7.biological warfare
_____ 8. biodegradable substances
_____ 9. bioluminescent insects
_____ 10. bionic researchers
E. We study animals so that we can
develop new technologies and devices
to help human beings.
F. I am a desert, tundra, or forest in which
various plants and animals live in an
ecosystem.
G. We grow well in both ponds and soil.
H. We depend on each other to stay alive.
I.If we are accidentally spilled on the
ground or in the ocean, plants and
animals may die.
J. We are bugs that glow in the dark, such
as fireflies.
11. Use one of the words biohazard, amphibian, or biological in your own sentence:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
© Shell Education
#50867—Getting to the Roots of Science Vocabulary
141