Meaning: body
Root word: Greek σῶμα, σώματος
Roots with similar meanings:
- corp- meaning “body”
Roots with opposite meanings:
- spir- meaning “spirit, breathe, wind”
Roots that could be confused:
- somn- meaning “sleep”
- -oma meaning “morbid growth, tumor”
Notes: Many words are related to the word “chromosome”. Others refer to organelles.
Derived English Words
Commonly encountered words are in bold.
Allosome: A sex chromosome; in humans, these are the X and Y chromosomes that determine an individual’s sex.
Autosome: Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.
Chromosome: A thread-like structure made of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information; chromosomes are found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
Heterochromosome: A sex chromosome that differs in structure or function from the other chromosomes, often referring to the X and Y chromosomes in humans.
Gonosome: Another term for a sex chromosome, specifically referring to chromosomes that determine the sex of an individual.
Episome: A type of plasmid that can exist independently in the cell or integrate into the host genome; often involved in the replication of certain viruses.
Centrosome: An organelle near the nucleus of a cell that contains the centrioles and is involved in the organization of the microtubules during cell division.
Microsome: A small vesicle derived from the endoplasmic reticulum, often used in biochemical studies of cell function.
Plasmosome: A type of organelle or structure related to the function of the plasma membrane or cytoplasm, though usage may vary.
Asomatognosia (also Somatoagnosia): a neurological disorder characterized as loss of recognition or awareness of part of the body.
Somatoparaphrenia: A neurological condition characterized by a disturbance in body awareness, often leading individuals to deny ownership of a body part.
Macrosomia: A medical condition characterized by an excessive birth weight, often due to factors such as maternal diabetes.
Microsomia: A condition characterized by abnormally small size or growth in an organism or structure, often referring to underdevelopment.
Metasomatic: Pertaining to metasomatism, which is the process of chemical alteration of a rock by fluids, often resulting in significant mineral changes.
Metasomatism: A geological process in which one mineral or rock type is transformed into another due to the introduction of chemically active fluids.
Polysomic: Referring to a condition where an organism has multiple copies of a specific chromosome, often used in discussions of polyploidy.
Polysomy: The presence of more than two copies of a specific chromosome in an organism.
Decasomy: A condition involving ten sets of chromosomes in an organism, typically related to polyploidy.
Disomic: Referring to a condition in which an organism has two copies of a particular chromosome.
Disomy: The presence of two copies of a chromosome, typical in diploid organisms; may refer to the normal state or a specific genetic condition.
Heptasomy: A condition in which an organism has seven sets of chromosomes, typically related to polyploidy.
Heterodisomic: Referring to a condition where two different chromosomes are inherited from each parent in a pair, leading to a disomic state.
Heterodisomy: A genetic condition where there are two different copies of a chromosome pair from each parent.
Hexasomy: A condition involving six sets of chromosomes in an organism, often associated with polyploidy.
Isodisomic: Referring to a condition where two identical copies of a chromosome are inherited from one parent.
Isodisomy: A genetic condition where two identical copies of a chromosome pair are inherited from one parent.
Monosomic: Referring to a condition in which an organism has only one copy of a particular chromosome instead of the normal two.
Monosome: A chromosome that occurs as a single copy instead of in a pair, often used in genetic studies.
Monosomy: A genetic condition in which one chromosome of a pair is missing, resulting in a total of one chromosome instead of the usual two.
Pentasomic: A condition involving five sets of chromosomes in an organism, typically related to polyploidy.
Pentasomy: A condition in which an organism has five copies of a particular chromosome.
Tetrasomic: Referring to a condition in which an organism has four copies of a particular chromosome.
Tetrasomy: A genetic condition in which an organism has four copies of a specific chromosome.
Trisomic: Referring to a condition in which an organism has three copies of a particular chromosome.
Trisomy: A genetic condition in which an organism has three copies of a specific chromosome instead of the normal two.
Pyrosome: A colonial marine organism composed of a gelatinous tube, often with bioluminescent properties.
Somatic: Relating to the body, particularly in contrast to the reproductive cells; often used in discussions of somatic cells versus germ cells.
Asomatous: Referring to an organism or structure that lacks a body or physical form; often used in a biological context.
Somatopleure: A term used in embryology to describe the outer layer of mesoderm and ectoderm that contributes to the formation of body structures.
Somite: A segment of the body formed during embryonic development, which contributes to the formation of vertebrae and associated structures.
Somatotype: A classification of human physique based on body composition and morphology, often categorized as ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph.
Somatomancy: A form of divination or fortune-telling based on the examination of the body, often focusing on physical characteristics.
Other Uses
Links
List of Greek and Latin roots in English – Wikipedia
Other Roots Used in These Words
| Root | Meaning |
| allo- | other |
| a- | not, no |
| gnos- | know |
| auto- | self |
| chrom- | color |
| heter– | other |
| gon- | origin, birth, race, kind |
| centr- | center |
| deca- | ten |
| di- | two |
| epi- | above, beyond |
| hept- | seven |
| hex- | six |
| iso- | equal |
| macr- | large |
| meta- | beyond, among |
| micr- | small |
| mono- | one |
| pent- | five |
| plas- | to form or mold |
| poly- | many |
| pyr- | fire |
| -mancy | divination |
| pleur- | rib, side |
| typ- | stamp, model |
| tetr- | four |
| tri- | three |
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