Download The Language of Science

Name_____________________________
Date________ Period _____
The Language of Science
Science contains a language all its own. The main reason individuals find it difficult to understand
many of the sciences is its difficult looking vocabulary. Large words are associated with difficulty,
and difficulty equates to hard. So by the vocabulary alone science is hard. Actually, scientific
vocabulary is a hodge podge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes put together to describe events, body parts,
or functions, etc. observed by the individuals studying the process. Below you will find a list of the
more common prefixes and suffixes and their meaning(s). If one can learn their meaning(s), they will
be well on their way to understanding the vast vocabulary of science.
Prefix
A or an
meso
Meaning
not or non.
middle
Prefix
epi
exo
endo
aero
inside, inner
needing oxygen
or air
against.
joint, jointed
self
related to life
green
gastro
hemo
hetero
homo
macro
micro
multi
cell
photo
anti
arth
auto
bio
chloro
cyto
double
pre
mono
Singular or one
lipo
Geo
Pertaining to the
earth
poly
di
Meaning
above
outer,
external
stomach
blood
Suffix
-cyst
-derm
Meaning
pouch
skin, layer
-saccharide
-itis
sugar
inflammation
different
same
large
small
consisting of
many units
pertaining to
light
Before
-logy
-meter
-osis
-phase
-phage
study of
measurement
condition
stage
eater
pertaining to
fat
many
-lysis
-pod
-stasis
-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
.
Directions: Match the definition with correct scientific word.
1.
Aerobic respiration
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Arthropod
Polycystic
Arthritis
Gastroderm
Photometer
7.
8.
9.
10.
Anerobic respiration
Antigen
Cytolysis
Appendicitis
a. Layer of tissue that produces digestive
enzymes.
b. Breaking up of a cell.
c. Inflammation of the appendix.
d. Needing oxygen to live.
e. Jointed appendages
f. A substance that is not part of an organism
body.
g. Measures light intensity
h. Not needing oxygen to live.
i. Inflammation of the joints.
j. A structure divided into many
compartments.