NAME:__________________________________
THE LANGUAGE OF SCIENCE
Science contains a language all its own. The main reason people find it difficult to understand many of the
sciences is because of its difficult looking vocabulary. Actually, scientific vocabulary is a hodge podge of
roots, prefixes, and suffixes put together to describe events, body parts, and conditions. Below is a list of
common prefixes and suffixes. If you can learn their meanings, you will be well on your way to
understanding the vast vocabulary of science.
Prefix
Meaning
Prefix
Meaning
Suffix
Meaning
a or an
meso
endo
aero
epi
exo
gastro
hemo
above
outer / external
stomach
blood
-cyst
-derm
-saccharide
-itis
pouch
skin, layer
sugar
inflammation
anti
arth
auto
bio
chloro
not or non
middle
inside/inner
needing oxygen
or air
against
joint or joined
self
life
green
hetero
homo
macro
micro
multi
-logy
-meter
-osis
-phase
-phage
study of
measurement
condition
stage
eater
cyto
di
cell
double
photo
pre
different
same
large
small
consisting of
many units
light
before
-pod
-siasis
mono
geo
one or single
earth
lipo
poly
fat
many
-lysis
-synthesis
foot
stationary
condition
to break
to build or make
Directions: Using the above chart, determine the meaning of the following scientific words .
1. Biology:
2. Abiotic:
3. Micronucleus:
4. Polycystic:
5. Liposuction:
6. Autophage:
7. Gastritis:
8. Geology:
9. Photosynthesis:
10. Cytology:
Study of life____________________
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Turn paper over to complete other side >>>>>>>>>
Directions: Match the definition with the correct scientific word.
1._______Aerobic respiration
a. Layer of tissue that produces digestive enzymes
2._______Arthropod
b. Breaking up of a cell
3._______Polycystic
c. Inflammation of the appendix
4._______Arthritis
d. Needing oxygen to live
5._______Gastroderm
e. Jointed appendages
6._______Photometer
f. A substance that is not part of an organism’s body
7._______Anaerobic respiration
g. Measures light intensity
8._______Antigen
h. Not needing oxygen to live
9._______Cytolysis
i. Inflammation of the joints
10._______Appendicitis
j. A structure divided into many compartments
Prefix
Meaning
Prefix
Meaning
Suffix
Meaning
a or an
meso
endo
aero
epi
exo
gastro
hemo
above
outer / external
stomach
blood
-cyst
-derm
-saccharide
-itis
pouch
skin, layer
sugar
inflammation
anti
arth
auto
bio
chloro
not or non
middle
inside/inner
needing oxygen
or air
against
joint or joined
self
life
green
hetero
homo
macro
micro
multi
-logy
-meter
-osis
-phase
-phage
study of
measurement
condition
stage
eater
cyto
di
cell
double
photo
pre
different
same
large
small
consisting of
many units
light
before
-pod
-siasis
mono
geo
one or single
earth
lipo
poly
fat
many
-lysis
-synthesis
foot
stationary
condition
to break
to build or make