Scientific Prefixes, Roots & Suffixes

bio-

life

biosphere, biography

geo-

land, earth

biogeochemical, geologist

-logy or -ology

study of

biology, ecology

chloro

green

chlorophyll, chloroplast

zoo

animal

zoology, zooplankton

cyte or cyto

cell

cytoplasm, cytology

mono- or uni-

one or single

monotone, monopoly

di-

two

dissect, diameter

poly- or multi-

many

polygon, polygamy

-saccharide

sugar

monosaccharide, disaccharide,

polysaccharide

carni-

meat

carnivore

herb-

plant

herbicide, herbarium

omni-

all

omnipotent

-vore

eater

carnivore, omnivore, herbivore

auto-

self

autopilot, autograph

homeo- or homo-

same

homeostasis, homogenous

hetero-

different

heterogeneous, heterozygote

troph

food or feeding

heterotroph, autotroph

eco-

dwelling

ecology, eco-friendly

a- or an-

without

asexual, abiotic

hydro-

water

hydroelectric, hydroplane

-ase

forms names of enzymes

lactase, DNA polymerase

-ose

forms names of sugars

lactose, glucose, fructose

iso-

equal, same

isosceles triangle

photo-

light

photograph, photosynthesis

-ous

full of

aqueous, curvaceous

en-, endo-, ent-

Inner, within

endoskeleton,

endotherm

ecto-

outside of

ectotherm

hyper-

above, beyond

hyperactive, hyperextend

hypo-

under, less

hypothermia, hypoallergenic

som-, somat-, -some

body

somatic, lysosome

micro-

small

microscope, microbe

macro-

large

macroevolution

-philic

loving

hydrophilic

-phobic

strong dislike

hydrophobic

pro

before, in front of

prophase, procambian

Eu-

true

eukaryote