Science Vocabulary Using word parts to facilitate meaning

Derivation of Many Science Terms From two ancient languages From two ancient languages Greek Greek Latin Latin A list of these is inside the front cover of the Martini text A list of these is inside the front cover of the Martini text

Did you know that many science terms are “built” from word parts?

Derivation from Greek Word Parts Did you know? Did you know? Biology Biology Bio = life Bio = life Logy = the study of Logy = the study of Biology = the study of life Biology = the study of life

Derivation from Latin Word Parts Bilingual Bilingual Bi- = two Bi- = two Lingu/o = tongue, language Lingu/o = tongue, language -al = pertaining to -al = pertaining to Bilingual = pertaining to two languages Bilingual = pertaining to two languages

A Medical Example Hypodermic Hypodermic

A Medical Example That Uses the Three Main Word Parts The term “hypodermic” is made up of three word parts The term “hypodermic” is made up of three word parts

Word Roots The foundations of terms The foundations of terms Hypodermic: “derm” is a word root meaning skin Hypodermic: “derm” is a word root meaning skin Sometimes you will see these presented with a vowel at the end (derm/o). These are called “combining forms”. Sometimes you will see these presented with a vowel at the end (derm/o). These are called “combining forms”.

Prefixes Word parts appearing at the beginning of a term that modify its meaning Word parts appearing at the beginning of a term that modify its meaning Hypodermic: “hypo” is a prefix meaning under or below Hypodermic: “hypo” is a prefix meaning under or below

Suffixes Word parts appearing at the end of a term to modify the meaning Word parts appearing at the end of a term to modify the meaning Hypodermic: “ic” is a suffix meaning pertaining to (an adjective ending) Hypodermic: “ic” is a suffix meaning pertaining to (an adjective ending)

Putting Them All Together Using your knowledge of the meanings of the three word parts, the term “hypodermic” means pertaining to under or below the skin Using your knowledge of the meanings of the three word parts, the term “hypodermic” means pertaining to under or below the skin A hypodermic needle injects a substance underneath the skin. A hypodermic needle injects a substance underneath the skin.

Chemistry Terms Endothermic Endothermic Endo- a prefix meaning within Endo- a prefix meaning within Therm/ a word root meaning heat Therm/ a word root meaning heat -ic a suffix meaning pertaining to -ic a suffix meaning pertaining to Definition: pertaining to (taking) heat in Definition: pertaining to (taking) heat in

A Contrasting Chemistry Term Exothermic Exothermic Exo- a prefix meaning out, outside Exo- a prefix meaning out, outside Therm/ a word root meaning heat Therm/ a word root meaning heat -ica suffix meaning pertaining to -ica suffix meaning pertaining to Definition: pertaining to (sending) heat out Definition: pertaining to (sending) heat out

Another Pair of Chemistry Terms Homogeneous Homogeneous Homo-a prefix meaning same, similar Homo-a prefix meaning same, similar Gene/a word root meaning kind or type Gene/a word root meaning kind or type -ousa suffix meaning pertaining to -ousa suffix meaning pertaining to A homogeneous solution is made of similar types (of substances) A homogeneous solution is made of similar types (of substances)

Another Pair of Chemistry Terms, continued Heterogeneous Heterogeneous Hetero-a prefix meaning different Hetero-a prefix meaning different Gene/a word root meaning kind or type Gene/a word root meaning kind or type -ousa suffix meaning pertaining to -ousa suffix meaning pertaining to A heterogeneous solution is made of different types (of substances) A heterogeneous solution is made of different types (of substances)

A Closer Look at Prefixes Ren/o means kidney Ren/o means kidney Prefixes Prefixes Peri-around, surrounding Peri-around, surrounding Supra-above Supra-above Infra-below Infra-below

How Prefixes Change a Term Perirenalpertaining to surrounding a kidney Perirenalpertaining to surrounding a kidney Suprarenalpertaining to above a kidney Suprarenalpertaining to above a kidney Intrarenalpertaining to within a kidney Intrarenalpertaining to within a kidney

A Closer Look at Suffixes Cephal/o = head Cephal/o = head Suffixes Suffixes -icpertaining to -icpertaining to -adtowards -adtowards -algiapain -algiapain

How Suffixes Change a Term Cephalic = pertaining to the head Cephalic = pertaining to the head Cephalad = towards the head Cephalad = towards the head Cephalalgia = pain in the head, or a headache Cephalalgia = pain in the head, or a headache

What else do you need to know?

How the order of word roots can change the meaning of a term. Anter/ofront Anter/ofront Poster/oback Poster/oback -iornoun ending -iornoun ending Anteriorthe front of the body Anteriorthe front of the body Posteriorthe back of the body Posteriorthe back of the body

How order of word roots can change the meaning, continued Anteroposteriorfrom the front to the back Anteroposteriorfrom the front to the back Posterioanteriorfrom the back to the front Posterioanteriorfrom the back to the front

Awareness of Terms Built from Word Parts Start your own list of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots for science terms. Start your own list of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots for science terms. Check your dictionary or glossary to confirm meaning. Check your dictionary or glossary to confirm meaning. Begin to reap the rewards of being a more efficient and effective reader with your increased knowledge of scientific terms built from word parts. Begin to reap the rewards of being a more efficient and effective reader with your increased knowledge of scientific terms built from word parts.

Questions? Feel free to Betsy Shiland, HIT Department at Feel free to Betsy Shiland, HIT Department at