Which morpheme denotes eating, as in phagocyte?

Prepare for the Paramedic Medical Terminology Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

Which morpheme denotes eating, as in phagocyte?

Explanation:
In medical terminology, the element that means eating is phago-, coming from the Greek phagein, to eat. It shows up in words describing eating or engulfing, such as phagocyte—a cell that engulfs and digests particles—and phagocytosis, the process of eating by a cell. The other morphemes don’t convey eating: pheo- relates to pigment or dusky color, penia means deficiency, and philia denotes affinity or love.

In medical terminology, the element that means eating is phago-, coming from the Greek phagein, to eat. It shows up in words describing eating or engulfing, such as phagocyte—a cell that engulfs and digests particles—and phagocytosis, the process of eating by a cell. The other morphemes don’t convey eating: pheo- relates to pigment or dusky color, penia means deficiency, and philia denotes affinity or love.

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