Biology: Prefixes and Suffixes

Source of
Prefix / Suffix

Term with meaning in English

Examples

Greek

autos = self

e.g. autotroph

Greek

bios = life

e.g. biology, biomass

Latin

bis = twice

e.g. binary fission, bicuspid valve

Greek

chloros = (pale) green

e.g. chlorophyll, chloropsia

Greek

chroma = colour

e.g. chromatopsia, chromosome (because it takes-up coloured stains)

Greek

dia = across

e.g. diaphragm, dialysis

Greek

dis = twice

e.g. dichromatic, diploid, dipeptide

Greek

ektos = outside

e.g. ectoparasite

Greek

epi = upon (above)

e.g. epicotyl, epidermis

Greek

exo = outside

e.g. excocytosis, exoskeleton

Greek

haima = blood

e.g. haemoglobin, haemophilia

Greek

heteros = other (different)

e.g. heterozygous

Greek

homos = same

e.g. homologous, homozygous

Greek

hypo = under

e.g. hypocotyl, hypothermia

Latin

inter = between

e.g. inter-cellular, intercostal

Latin

intra = within

e.g. intra-cellular, intra-uterine

Greek

kytos = vessel (a cell)

e.g. cytoplasm, erythrocyte, leucocyte

Greek

lipos = fat

e.g. lipase, lipid

Greek

lysis = dissolution

e.g. dialysis, lysozyme

Greek

mesos = middle

e.g. mesenteric, mesophyll

Greek

meta = after (change)

e.g. metamorphosis

Greek

mikros = little

e.g. micropyle, microvilli

Greek

morphe = form (shape)

e.g. metamorphosis, morphology

Greek

phagein = to eat

e.g. oesophagus, phagocyte

Greek

phyllon = leaf

e.g. chlorophyll, mesophyll

Greek

phyton = plant

e.g. phytoplankton, saprophyte

Greek

polys = many

e.g. polypeptide, polysaccharide

Greek

protos = first formed

e.g. protista, protoplasm

Greek

rhiza = root

e.g. rhizoid, rhizome

Latin

semi = half

e.g. semicircular canal, semilunar valves

Latin

sub = under

e.g. sub-cutaneous, subclavian, subsoil

Greek

sym- , syn- = together

e.g. symbiosis, synapse

Greek

treis = three

e.g. triceps brachii, tricuspid valve, tripeptide

Greek

trophe = food

e.g. autotroph, trophic level

Latin

unus = one

e.g. unicellular, unisexual

Latin

vas = vessel

e.g. vascular bundle, vaso-dilation, vasodilator

Greek

zoion = animal

e.g. zoology, zooplankton

Greek

zygon = yolk

e.g. homozygous, zygote