Roots of Common Terms in Biomolecules and the Chemistry of Life

(L = Latin, G = Greek, F = French)

Carbohydrate

carbo = carbon (F); hydr = water (G)

Dehydration

de = remove (L); hydr = water (G)

Hydrophilic

hydr = water (G); phile = love (G, L)

Hydrophobic

hydr = water (G); phobe = fear (G)

Monomer

mono = single (G); mer = part (G)

Polymer

poly = many (G); mer = part (G)

Lipid

lip = fat (G)

Glucose

gluc = sweet (G); ose = sugar (G)

Amylase

ase = enzyme (G)