Biology Root Words Starting with Ab or Abs
In biology, the root words ab and abs come from Latin meaning “away” or “from.” They appear in terms like abscission (shedding of plant parts), ablation (removal of a structure), and abaxial (leaf surface away from the axis). These words help explain plant physiology, genetics, and morphology. Many root words have the prefixes ab-, abs-, a-, and apo-. These prefixes have the Latin meaning of "away, from," which is where these root words come from.
This Story also Contains
- Examples of Root Words with Ab, Abs
- What is Abscission?
- What is Ablation in Biology?
- What is Abaxial Surface?
- Ab, Abs Root Word NEET MCQs
- FAQs on Ab, Abs Root Word
Understanding the root word "ab and abs" helps in learning biology vocabulary. It provides a common thread that connects various terms of different fields. The terminology helps to maintain easiness to understand the terms.
Examples of Root Words with Ab, Abs
A few examples of words that begin with ab, ad, or abs in Biology:
Abscission,
ablation,
adaxial, and
aphasia
What is Abscission?
The word "abscission" comes from the Latin words "ab," which means "away," and "scindere," which means "to cut." It is a cutting-off action or procedure. It is the organic separation of plant components, such as fruit ripening and dropping. It is a biologically defined program of controlled cell separation at the abscission zones (AZs) at certain locations on the plant body. Some phytohormones and environmental elements regulate abscission.
Traits of Abscission Zone
Their cytoplasm is thick.
They may differ in the cell's composition and have smaller intercellular gaps.
They react differently to plant hormones like auxins and ethylene.
Mechanism of Abscission
Abscission is one of the important physiological processes and plants that involves the shedding of various organs such as leaves, fruits and flowers. It is also important as it plays a very important role in the development agent and response to the environmental stimuli of the plant. Some important mechanism of Abscission is discussed below:
Type of Abscission | Explanation |
General Mechanism |
|
Fruit Abscission |
|
Leaf Abscission |
|
Abscission Signaling
Abscission signaling in plants is influenced by several factors including environmental stresses and production of reactive oxygen species. Some of the basics of Abscission signalling are discussed below:
Environmental stresses such as UV exposure, cold, salt, bright light and pathogen infections lead to the production of reactive oxygen species which include H2O2 superoxide singlet Oxygen and hydroxyl radicals.
It requires the expression of the cell wall which degrades enzyme cellulase that functions downstream of ethylene in the abscission signaling.
Increased in the level of H2O2 also guesses the execution of the space which indicates the environment of cell wall degradation.
Commonly Asked Questions
"Abscission" refers to the process by which a plant drops leaves, fruits, or flowers. The "abs-" prefix indicates the separation or moving away of these parts from the main plant body.
In animal behavior, to "abscond" means to leave a location suddenly, often in the context of abandoning a nest or colony. The "abs-" prefix emphasizes the act of moving away or departing from a place.
"Aberrant" behavior deviates from the norm. The "ab-" prefix here suggests a movement away from typical or expected patterns, consistent with the root meaning of "away" or "from."
An "abortifacient" is a substance that induces abortion. The "ab-" prefix here relates to the termination or moving away from the process of pregnancy, consistent with the root meaning.
"Abyssal" zones are the deepest parts of the ocean. While not directly from "ab/abs," the term embodies the concept of being far away from the surface, aligning with the "away" meaning of "ab."
What is Ablation in Biology?
Ablation in biology is the removal of a biological structure or functionality, such as an organ or a cellular component. Ablation of genes and organs are two examples. Genetic slicing is also known as gene ablation.
What is Abaxial Surface?
It refers to a position away from the axis or the opposite side of the axis. It is used in botany to describe the various positions of the plant. Example: the abaxial surface of a leaf.
Ab, Abs Root Word NEET MCQs
Q1. The abaxial surface of a leaf is:
a) The surface facing the axis
b) The surface away from the axis
c) The upper surface only
d) None of these
Correct answer: b) The surface away from the axis
Explanation:
The abaxial surface is the lower side of the leaf that faces away from the stem or axis. It usually contains more stomata than the upper surface (adaxial surface), which is exposed to sunlight. This adaptation helps in efficient gas exchange and transpiration.
Hence, the correct answer is b) The surface away from the axis.
Q2. Abscission in plants is regulated mainly by:
a) Auxin and ethylene
b) Gibberellin and cytokinin
c) ABA and cytokinin
d) GA and IAA only
Correct answer: a) Auxin and ethylene
Explanation:
Abscission is the process by which plants shed leaves, flowers, or fruits. It is regulated by hormones, mainly auxin and ethylene. Ethylene promotes abscission by stimulating enzymes that weaken cell walls in the abscission zone, while auxin delays it. The balance between these two hormones determines the timing of shedding.
Hence, the correct answer is a) Auxin and ethylene.
Q3. Ablation in biology refers to:
a) Shedding of leaves
b) Removal of a structure or function
c) Growth of new tissue
d) Photosynthetic activity
Correct answer: b) Removal of a structure or function
Explanation:
Ablation in biology refers to the removal or destruction of biological tissue or a body part. For example, in medicine, ablation is used to remove tumors or abnormal tissues. In ecology, the term may also refer to the loss of ice or snow from a glacier surface. Thus, it broadly means elimination or removal of a part.
Hence, the correct answer is b) Removal of a structure or function.
FAQs on Ab, Abs Root Word
What does ab, abs mean in biology?
The root words "ab" or "abs" in biology mean "away" or "from." These prefixes are used to describe processes or structures that involve movement away from something or separation. Understanding this root helps in decoding many biological terms. Example: abscission (cutting off leaves/fruits), abaxial (surface away from the axis).
What is abscission in plants?
Abscission is the natural process in which plants shed leaves, flowers, or fruits. It occurs in a special region called the abscission zone. It is present at the base of the organ. It is one of the important physiological processes and plants that helps plants conserve energy, discard damaged parts, and prepare for seasonal changes.
What is ablation in biology?
Ablation means the removal, destruction, or loss of a biological structure or tissue. In medicine, it refers to removal of diseased tissue (e.g., tumor ablation), while in ecology it can mean the loss of ice or snow from glaciers.
What is the abaxial surface of a leaf?
Abaxial refers to the side of a plant organ facing away from the axis or stem. The "ab-" prefix relates to the "away from" meaning, describing the surface furthest from the plant's central axis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An "abortive colony" in microbiology is a bacterial colony that fails to develop fully. The "ab-" prefix suggests a moving away from or failure to complete normal colony development.
"Abaxial leaf curling," where leaves curl with their lower (abaxial) surface outward, often indicates water stress. The "ab-" in abaxial emphasizes that this is the surface away from the stem, and its curling is a response to water loss.
"Aberrant cell division" refers to abnormal or uncontrolled cell division in cancer. The "ab-" prefix suggests a deviation or moving away from normal cell division patterns, consistent with the root meaning.
"Abscission-induced gene expression" refers to genes activated during the process of plant part separation. The "abs-" in abscission emphasizes the separation or moving away aspect that these genes facilitate.
An "abaxial leaf spot" is a disease symptom appearing on the lower (abaxial) surface of a leaf. The "ab-" in abaxial emphasizes that this surface is away from or opposite to the stem.
"Abscission zone formation" is part of the leaf senescence process, preparing for leaf shedding. The "abs-" in abscission emphasizes the upcoming separation or moving away of the leaf from the plant.
"Abortive fruits" are fruits that fail to develop fully, often as a result of the plant's resource allocation strategy. The "ab-" prefix suggests a moving away from or failure to complete normal fruit development.
An "abscission-promoting factor" is any substance that encourages the shedding of plant parts. The "abs-" prefix in abscission highlights the separation or moving away aspect of this process, influenced by hormone balance.
"Abaxial greening" refers to the development of chlorophyll on the lower (abaxial) surface of leaves in some plants. The "ab-" in abaxial emphasizes that this surface is away from or opposite to the stem.
"Aberrant splicing" refers to incorrect processing of mRNA. The "ab-" prefix suggests a deviation or moving away from normal splicing patterns, consistent with the root meaning.