Practice identifying common Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes that appear in science and medicine words.
Read each problem carefully. Use the Latin root meanings to figure out or explain the meaning of each science or medicine word. Show your thinking in the space provided.
Using Latin word parts to understand scientific and medical vocabulary
World Languages - Grade 6-8
- 1
The Latin root aqua means water. Explain how the root helps you understand the meaning of the word aquatic.
- 2
The Latin root bio means life. In science, what does biology mean, and how does the root bio help you know?
- 3
The Latin root corpus means body. A doctor might discuss corpuscles, which are tiny bodies or cells in the blood. Use the root to explain the word corpuscle.
- 4
The Latin prefix sub means under or below. What does subcutaneous mean in medicine if cutaneous means related to the skin?
- 5
The Latin root dent means tooth. Write a sentence using the word dental that shows its meaning.
- 6
The Latin root cardi or cord means heart. Explain the meaning of the word cardiovascular.
- 7
The Latin root manus means hand. In medicine, a manual exam may be done by hand. Explain how manual connects to the root manus.
- 8
The Latin root lumen means light. In anatomy, the lumen can mean the open space inside a tube where light or material can pass. Explain how the root meaning connects to this use.
- 9
The Latin root aud means hear. What does auditory mean in a science lesson about the ear?
- 10
The Latin root port means carry. Explain how the word transport uses this root in science.
- 11
The Latin prefix inter means between. In the word intercellular, cell means a small unit of life. What does intercellular mean?
- 12
The Latin prefix intra means within or inside. How is intracellular different from intercellular?
- 13
The Latin root viv means live. Use the root to explain the meaning of the science word viviparous, which describes animals that give birth to live young.
- 14
The Latin root vid or vis means see. In medical science, vision is the ability to see. Name one other English word with vid or vis and explain how it connects to seeing.
- 15
Match each Latin root to its meaning, then use one root in a science or medicine word: aqua, dent, aud, port. Meanings: tooth, carry, water, hear.