Root of the Week: BIO (Tuesday)

Biology (Noun) 

The word biology combines the root “bio” with the Greek-derived suffix “log,” meaning “the study of.” Biology is a broad category name for all the life sciences.  The many subdisciplines include cell biology, marine biology, biochemistry, neurobiology, etc. 

Biotic, Abiotic (Adjective)

The adjective biotic is used to describe that which is related to living organisms or living systems. When the negating prefix “a” is added to biotic it becomes abiotic, or “not living.”  Some plants depend on pollination by both biotic pollinators, like insects, and also abiotic ones, like wind currents.