Roots of Common Terms in Biotechnology

Roots of Common Terms in Biotechnology

ROOTS

L = Latin; G = Greek

Biotechnology

Bios = life (G); technologia = systematic treatment (G)

Electrophoresis

Electr(um) = amber (L); phoresis = transmission (G)

In situ Hybridization

In situ = in place (L)

In vitro mutagenesis

In vitro = in glass (L); mutatio = a changing (L); genesis = origin or source (G)

Microarray

Micro = small (G)

Nuclear Transplantation

Nucleus = kernel (L); trans = across, beyond or through (L); plantare = to plant (L)

Pluripotent

Plur = more (L); potis = able (L)

Polymerase

Polymeres = having many parts (G); ase = suffix used for enzymes

Polymorphism

Poly = many (G); morphe = form or shape (G)

Totipotent

Totus = whole or entire (L); potis = able (L)

Transcriptase

Transcriptum = thing copied (L): ase = suffix used for enzymes

Transgenic

Trans = across, beyond or through (G); genesis = development (L)