Importance Of Learning Biology Terminology
In most sciences, including biology, there is a preponderance of new terminology that must be learned quickly and remembered. Research suggests that students who are knowledgeable of biological terminology do much better in standardized testing including the EOC, ACT, and PSAT tests. It is helpful that students learn to recognize word parts which usually give a clue to the meaning of the entire word. Identifying common prefixes and suffixes in a word allows students to relate them to the definitions. In biology, there are many suffixes and prefixes commonly used. After their meanings are memorized, it will become easier to remember and learn new terminology.
‘Meso’ Structures In Biology
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Meaning Of The Prefix ‘Meso’
Meso
is a prefix (a group of letters added before a word to alter its meaning and form a new word) which means middle, between, partially, or intermediate. It is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘mesos‘ meaning ‘middle’.
Meso, as a prefix, is extremely common in scientific nomenclature including biology.
When the prefix
meso
comes before a noun it often refers to a spatial relationship, signifying location. For example, the word
mesoderm
refers to the middle layer of the skin and the word
mesosphere
refers to the middle layer of the atmosphere. The prefix
meso
can also refer to a temporal relationship. The word
mesozoic
means middle life and relates to a middle stage of earth’s evolutionary history.
The prefix meso also occurs in biochemistry nomenclature. A
meso
is a substance having bilaterally symmetrical structure. It also has two or more atom groups not consisting of hydrogen. Tantaric acid, found in grapes, is a
meso
compound.
Meso Words In The Language Of Biology
| Meso Word | Definition | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
|
mesoblast |
The middle layer of an embryo before the segregation of the germ layers. It is capable of becoming the mesoderm. |
mez-uh-blast |
|
mesocarp |
The middle layer of the flesh of fruit, such as the yellow flesh of a peach. |
mez-uh-kahrp |
|
mesocephalic |
A person with a medium sized head. |
mez-oh-suh-fal-ik |
|
mesoderm |
The middle germ layer of a mesozoic embryo. |
mez-uh-durm |
|
mesogastria |
Embryonic tissue attached to the early stomach. |
mez-uh-gas-tree-uh |
|
mesoglea |
The non-cellular, gelly-like material in between the inner and outer body walls of a coelenterate or sponge. |
mez-uh-glee-uh |
|
mesohippus |
An extinct member of the horse family. the word means ‘middle horse’. |
Mes`o*hip”pus |
|
mesolithic |
A transitional period of the Stone Age which occurred between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. |
mez-uh-lith-ik |
|
mesomorph |
Having a muscular or sturdy body build, not too fat and not too thin. |
mez-uh-mawrf |
|
mesonephros |
Means ‘middle kidney’ and is one of three embryonic organs which become the adult kidney in higher vertebrates. |
met-uh-nef-ros |
|
mesopause |
The boundary or transition zone between the mesosphere and ionosphere. |
mez-uh-pawz |
|
mesopelagic |
The intermediate depths of the ocean between approximately 100 and 1000 metres. |
mez-uh-puh-laj-ik |
|
mesophyll |
Cells in the middle of a leaf cross section. |
mez-uh-fil |
|
mesophyte |
A plant which prefers a moderately moist environment. |
mez-uh-fahyt |
|
mesosome |
Folded structures which protrude into the plasma membrane of bacteria. |
mez-uh-sohm |
|
mesosphere |
It is located between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, extending from about 20–50 miles (32–80 km) above the surface of the earth. |
mez-uh-sfeer |
|
mesothelia |
Tissue which lines the body cavities. |
mez-uh-thee-lee-uhm |
|
mesothelioma |
Cancer of the lung or lining of the pleural or abdominal cavities. |
mez-uh-thee-lee-oh-muh |
|
mesothorax |
Middle division of an insect thorax |
mez-uh-thaw-rax |
|
mesozoa |
Parasitic, multicellular worm-like organisms thought to be of intermediary complexity compared to protozoans and metazoans. |
mez-uh-zoh-uh |
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nwaogu chinenye
on March 03, 2017:
three years ago biology was my best subject
sahiba manu
on December 03, 2013:
Biology is my favovrite subject its owsm
Teresa Coppens (author)
from Ontario, Canada on September 10, 2012:
Kj it was an interesting one to tackle but biology is my field of study! Glad you found it interesting.
kjforce
from Florida on September 10, 2012:
Theresa Coppens..well done research..you did a good job with this subject..
