Module : TCE Anglais Dr.

Zatout Roukia

Chapter 3: Biological Terminology

Introduction
Biology students are faced with the challenge of learning a large number of new terms
predominately based on the Latin and Greek languages.
Therefore, students should learn to recognize word parts since they often give clues as to the
meaning of a word.

1. Terminology
Terminology is a set of terms and vocabulary specialized for each science, which can also come
from everyday language and the various, which lexicographers are responsible for.

2. Vocabulary words
Some vocabulary words that will be covered in Biology:
▪ Biology: The science that studies living organisms.
▪ Vegetal biology: The science that studies the world living vegetal.
▪ Parasitology: The science that studies the parasites.
▪ Animal biology: The science that studies the world of living animals.
▪ Biophysics: The science that studies the physical interactions in a living cell.
▪ Biochemistry: The science that studies the chemical reactions in a living cell.
▪ Geology: The science that studies the earth.
▪ Microbiology: The science that studies the microorganisms
▪ Immunology: The science that studies the immune system.
▪ Genetics: The science that studies the heredity and genes.
▪ Histology: The science that studies the tissues.
▪ Laboratory: is a local adapted for scientific research, biological analyzes, and
observations.
▪ Tissu: A collection of similar cells that have the same origin and attend the same
function.
▪ Cell: The smallest unit of the living world, capable of ensuring its survival and
reproduction.

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 Module : TCE Anglais Dr. Zatout Roukia

▪ DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; This molecule contains genetic information.

3. Some of the Latin & Greek word parts (Prefixes and Suffixes)
Word Part Meaning Example Meaning of Example
Aphotic -Without light
a-, an- Without Not
Anaerobic -Without air, or oxygen,
ana- Up Anabolic Build-up of larger molecules from smaller molecules
anti-, contra- Opposite, Against Anticodon, Contraception Opposite of codon, Against conception
aqua-, hydr- Water Aquatic, Hydration Of water, With water
Bipedal, Diploid, Two feet, Two sets of chromosomes, Two round
bi-, di-, diplo- Two
Diplococcus bacteria
Where life exists on earth, Organic molecules
bio-, vita- Life Biosphere, Vitamin
necessary for life
eco- Where one lives Home Ecology Study of where organisms live
hetero- Different, Other Heterotroph Other feeder (ex. herbivore)
inter- Between Intercellular Between cells
intra- Inside Intracellular Inside a cell
Large molecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins,
macro-, Large Macromolecule
nucleic acids)
micro- Small Microbiology Study of microbes (bacteria, viruses, etc.)
Multicellular - Organism made of many cells
multi-, ply- Many
Polysaccharide - Many monosaccharides
Symbiosis -Organisms living with each other
sym-, syn,- sys With, Together Synthesize - Put together
System -Working together
zo- Animal Zoology Study of animals
Homozygous Union of egg & sperm,
Zyg Yoke (egg + sperm) Zygote
Zygote receives the same genes from both egg &

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 Module : TCE Anglais Dr. Zatout Roukia

sperm
-Outer layer of tissue during embryo development
ecto-, exo- Out, Outside Ectoderm, Exoskeleton
-Skeleton on outside of body
eu- True Eukaryote True nucleus (protective membrane around DNA)
karyo, caryo Cell Nucleus Prokaryote, Procaryotic Cells without a nucleus
-ase Enzyme Amylase Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates
-cide Kill Herbacide, Insecticide Plant killer, Insect killer
-cyst Capsule, Sac Nematocyst Threadlike tube that delivers a paralyzing sting
-cyte Cell Erythrocyte, Osteocyte Red blood cell, Bone cell