Which morpheme means 'fat'?

Which morpheme means 'fat'?

• A. Lip(o)
• B. Leuk(o)
• C. Lith(o)
• D. Lumb(o)

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is recognizing common medical prefixes that denote body substances or regions. The morpheme meaning fat is lip(o)-, coming from Greek lipos for fat. You’ll see it in terms like lipid (a fat-like substance), liposuction (removal of fat), and lipoma (a fat-containing tumor). The other morphemes fit different meanings: leuk(o)- means white (as in leukocyte), lith(o)- means stone (as in lithiasis), and lumb(o)- relates to the lumbar region of the back. So lip(o) is the best match for "fat."

The concept being tested is recognizing common medical prefixes that denote body substances or regions. The morpheme meaning fat is lip(o)-, coming from Greek lipos for fat. You’ll see it in terms like lipid (a fat-like substance), liposuction (removal of fat), and lipoma (a fat-containing tumor). The other morphemes fit different meanings: leuk(o)- means white (as in leukocyte), lith(o)- means stone (as in lithiasis), and lumb(o)- relates to the lumbar region of the back. So lip(o) is the best match for "fat."