Life & Earth
English Language: KS3, topic 4.2.8
Bio - Life
Words beginning with 'bio' generally mean something to do with life.
Biography
- A biography is a detailed account of a person's life. An autobiography is when someone writes a detailed account of their own life.
- Example: Walter Isaacson wrote Steve Jobs' biography.
Biology
- Biology is the scientific study of living organisms.
- Example: Stephen learnt about homeostasis by doing the Seneca GCSE biology course.
Biometric
- Biometric means referring to measurements of and data on the body.
- Example: Biometric verification involves identifying people by some aspect of their body.
Biomass
- Biomass means the overall mass of all living things in a specific area.
- In numerical terms, biomass is the total mass of living material in an organism multiplied by the number of organisms.
- Example: Pyramids of biomass are almost always pyramid-shaped.
Biofuel
- Biofuel is fuel that comes from living things and waste from living things.
- Example: Biofuels are examples of renewable energy sources.
Biodegrade
- To biodegrade means to be broken down by bacteria.
- Example: These plates are biodegradable, so they are more environmentally friendly than non-biodegradable plates.
Geo - Earth
Words beginning with 'geo' generally relate to the Earth.
Geography
- Geography is effectively the study of the Earth. It's the study of the physical aspects of the Earth and human activity on Earth.
- Example: I learnt about volcanoes and earthquakes in my geography lesson today.
Geology
- Geology is the study of rocks.
- Geology also refers to rocks that make up a particular area of the Earth.
- Example: Geology was always Isaac's favourite science.
Geothermal
- Geothermal means connected to the Earth's inner heat.
- Example: The more Joan learnt about climate change, the more she thought about turning to geothermal energy.
Geometry
- Geometry is a branch of mathematics. Geometry is concerned with space and the relationship between curves, points, lines etc.
- Example: Will passed his geometry exam with flying colours.
Geospatial
- Geospatial means relating to data about the locations of particular features of the Earth's surface.
- The firm wanted to purchase new geospatial technology.
Test yourself on Life & Earth
What does the prefix 'bio' mean?
Why does the subject biology begin with bio?
What does the prefix 'geo' mean?