Biology Prefixes Quiz

Prefixes

• Meta-: Indicates a change or transition beyond; example, metaphase signifies the second stage of cell division.
• Hypo-: Refers to something below or less than normal; example, hypotension denotes low blood pressure.
• Hyper-: Signifies excessive or above normal levels; example, hyperglycemia indicates high blood sugar.
• A/An-: Denotes absence or lack of something; example, anemia refers to a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin.
• Aut(o)-: Implies self or self-originated; example, autolysis describes the breakdown of cells by their own enzymes.
• Dia-: Indicates completeness or through; example, diagnosis signifies a state of complete knowledge about a condition.
• Dys-: Refers to painful, difficult, or abnormal; example, dysphagia describes difficulty or pain in swallowing.
• Exo-: Means outside; example, exocrine refers to glands that secrete substances outside of their structure.
• Micr(o)-: Indicates small; example, microbe refers to a microscopic organism.
• Mono-: Indicates one or single; example, monochromatic refers to having just one color.
• Morph(o)-: Relates to shape or form; example, morphology is the study of the structure and form of organisms.
• Multi-: Refers to many or multiple; example, multifocal means originating from multiple locations.
• Olig(o)-: Indicates few or scanty; example, oliguria describes the production of a small amount of urine.
• Par(a)-: Means near, beside, or accessory to; example, paracentesis involves puncturing a cavity to drain fluids.
• Peri-: Indicates around or surrounding; example, pericecal refers to the area around the cecum.
• Poly-: Means many or multiple; example, polydipsia describes excessive thirst.
• Post-: Indicates after or behind; example, postoperative refers to the period after surgery.
• Pre-: Indicates before or prior to; example, preanesthesia refers to the period before administering anesthesia.
• Pro-: Indicates promoting, favoring, or supporting; example, procoagulant refers to substances that promote blood clotting.
• Pseudo-: Denotes false or resembling; example, pseudocyst refers to a cavity resembling a true cyst.
• Re-: Means backward, again, or back; example, recurrent fever indicates a fever that returns after a period of remission.
• Semi-: Signifies half or partial; example, semiflexion refers to a position midway between full extension and flexion.
• Sub-: Indicates below or under; example, subclinical refers to a condition with no noticeable symptoms.
• Supra-: Means above or upon; example, supraorbital refers to the area above the eye socket.
• Tetra-: Indicates four; example, tetralogy refers to a group of four.
• Trans-: Means across, through, or beyond; example, transdermal refers to entering through the skin.