What does the prefix hyper- mean?

• A. Deficient
• B. Excessive
• C. Below
• D. Not

Answer: (B)

Hyper- denotes an excessive amount or something that is above normal. It signals that the condition is heightened. For example, hyperglycemia means blood glucose is too high; hyperthermia means an elevated body temperature; hypertension refers to high blood pressure. This contrasts with hypo-, which means deficient or below normal. The other options do not describe an excess, so they don’t fit the meaning of hyper-.