Root Words: Unit 4
Prefix/Root/Suffix Activity
Purpose:
Throughout this course, we will cover many new vocabulary terms. Understanding prefixes,
roots, and suffixes will be tremendously helpful in decoding words and interpreting meanings.
In this activity, you will look at some of the prefixes/roots/suffixes covered in this unit in
more detail — you will be responsible for knowing the meaning of all the terms, but you will
choose six to examine here.
Procedure:
1. Choose 6 prefixes/roots/suffixes from the list at the bottom-right of this page.
2. Optional: Access the template for this activity on Mr. Gleicher’s Schoolwires site in the
Assignments section.
3. Create a web with the terms chosen by modifying the template.
 The center of your web will show the unit title (look at this page’s heading).
 Branching out from the center will be 6 lines that each extend to your 6
prefixes/roots/suffixes, along with an image that matches the term.
 Branching out from each of your six terms will be three more boxes:
1. The definition/meaning of the prefix/root/suffix.
2. A list of at least 4 terms in which this prefix/root/suffix is found – on this
list, CAPITALIZE and bold the term you chose to use in context.
3. One of the terms in which the prefix/root/suffix is found and is used in
context - underline this term in an example sentence.
4. When finished, print the document or e-mail it to Mr. Gleicher ([email protected]).
Unit 4:
Prefix/Root/Suffix List
auto- = self;
hetero- = different
-troph = food
meso- = middle
chlor- = the color green, yellow
green, or light green
photo- = light
-lysis = split
aero- = requiring oxygen
an- = no, absence of, without,
lacking
Source of words hav been adapted from lists found on: Campbell, Biology: Concepts and Connections 5e, Online Textbook.
Retrieved 25 March 2011—http://wps.aw.com/bc_campbell_concepts_5/30/7907/2024291.cw/index.html
And some definitions of prefixes/roots/suffixes from:
Elias, Joseph. Science Terms Made Easy: A Lexicon of Scientific Words and Their Root Language Origins. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2007. Print.