Biology Cide Root Word: Meaning, Examples, Usage, Biology Vocabulary

In Biology “Cide” terminology is used for the agents that kill and inhibit the growth of specific organisms such as bacteria, fungi or pests. These terms are used at various biological processes and also at environment control work in order to maintain easiness to understand the terms.

Origin of “Cide” Terminology

Root words are the foundational words from which additional words are created. Prefixes and suffixes are frequently added to a root word at the start and/or end, respectively, to create new words. The term "cide" has a root.

The Latin word caedere, which means "to cut," is the root of the English word "cide." Although cide can be used in many different contexts, it most often refers to the deed of murder.

Starting with cide, numerous root words can be formed. Algicide, fungicide, avicide, ichthyocide, and other words beginning with cide- have the meaning "cutting" or "killing" in French (cidium in Latin).

Important “Cide” Terminology in Biology

The most popular ones in biology are:

• Algicide: An organism or a chemical substance called "algicide" is used to kill algae and stop their growth.

• Aphicide: Substances that kill aphids are known as aphicides. Small insects called aphids eat plant sap to survive.

• Fungicides: Compounds created to either kill or stop the growth of fungi.

• Avicides: Poisons that are used to kill birds (Aves is the Latin word for birds).

• Ichthyocide: Chemical that is used to kill fish (Ichthyo means "fish" or "fish-like").

• Bactericide: An agent that kills bacteria.

• Fungicide: Substance that kills fungi.

• Insecticide: Chemical that kills insects.

• Herbicide: Substance used to kill unwanted plants (weeds).

• Larvicide: A substance that targets and kills insect larvae.

• Nematicide: A substance that kills nematodes (parasitic worms).

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