Biological Vocabulary

Voulez vous apprendre les sciences avec facilité?
Commencez par apprendre votre langue.
Do you wish to learn science easily?
Then begin by learning your own language.
                         -- Étienne Bonnot [Abbé de Condillac], 1714-1780
   
I. Introduction
   
     A. Every discipline has its own jargon, its own
          vocabulary.
   
     B. To understand the discipline you must first
          understand the jargon.
   
II. How to Make Learning Vocabulary Easier
   
     A. Use the glossary in the textbook.
   
     B. Get a good dictionary.
   
     C. USE the dictionary.
   
     D. Learn how to dissect words.
   
III. Where Do Science Words Come From?
   
     A. Borrowed From Other Languages
   
          1. Malaria
   
          2. Kangaroo
   
     B. Made Up
   
          1. Googol
   
          2. Quark
   
     C. Put Together from Other Words
   
IV. How to Build a Word
   
     A. The Root
   
          1. Example:  -cyte-
   
     B. The Prefix
   
          1. Example:  erythro-
   
               (erythrocyte)
   
     C. The Suffix
   
          1. Example:  -osis
   
               (cytosis)
   
     D. Compound Words
   
          1. Example:  erythrocytosis
   
V. How to Dissect a Word
   
     A. Break it down into its component parts and
          figure out their meanings.
   
VI. Summary

Page obtained from link at URL: http://www.ric.edu/faculty/jmontvilo/109.htm Prepared by Jerome A. Montvilo, Ph.D. for the use of his students. Copyright © by Jerome A. Montvilo. All rights reserved. Please send questions, comments, or suggestions to jmontvilo@ric.edu. Last updated 15 January, 2008