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a-, an

answer

Definition: without, negative, not Examples: asexual (without sex)

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ab-, abs

answer

Definition:away from Examples: abnormal (departing from normality)

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ad-

answer

Definition: toward, near Examples: adrenal (toward the kidneys)

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aer-, aero

answer

Definition: air, oxygen Examples: aerobic (with oxygen)

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amphi-

answer

Definition: both, on both sides, around Examples: amphibian (animal that can live on both land and water)

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amyl-

answer

Definition: starch Examples: amylase (a group of starch enzymes)

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ana-

answer

Definition: upward, back, again Examples: anaplasia (cell reverting to an immature form)

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andro-

answer

Definition: male Example: androgen (male hormone)

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angio-

answer

Definition: vessel Example: angiotensin (neurotransmitter that causes blood vessels to become narrow)

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ante-

answer

Definition: before Example: antemortem (before death)

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antho-

answer

Definition: flower Example: anthophyta (plant division composed of flowering plants

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anti-

answer

Definition: against Example: antibodies ( proteins that work against foreign invaders to the body

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arch-

answer

Definition: original Example: of or characterized by antiquity or archaism antiquated; obsolescent

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-ary

answer

Definition: of or relating to Examples: urinary (of or relating to urine and its production or excretion

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-ase

answer

Definition: enzyme Example: sucrase (an enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of sucrose into glucose and fructose

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-ate

answer

Definition: having, characterized by, resembling Example: nervate leaves characterized by prominent veins

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auto-

answer

Definition: self Example: autotroph (organism that is self nourishing or capable of generating its own food

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bi-

answer

Definition: both example: bisexual (having sexual intercourse with both male and female)

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bio-

answer

Definition: life Example: Bio-dome (life inside of a dome)

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-blast

answer

Definition: bud or germ Example: osteroblast (a cell from which bone is derived

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brachio-

answer

Definition: upper arm, forelimb Example: brachium (arm-like part of an animal)

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brady-

answer

Definition: slow Example: bradycardia (slow heart beat)

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bronchi-

answer

Definition: windpipe bronchioles (small tubes in the lungs)

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bryo-

answer

Definition: moss Example: bryophyte (mosses)

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cata-

answer

Definition: down, lower, under Example: catabolic pathway (metabolic pathway that breaks down complex molecules into simple molecules, resulting in the release of energy

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cephal-

answer

Definition: head Example: cephalization (in animal development, the development of a highly specialized brain that processes sensory input

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chole-

answer

Definition: bile Example: cholesterol (steroid produced by the liver)

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chondr-

answer

Definition: cartilage Example: chondroma (cartilaginous growth or tumor)

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cyst-

answer

Definition: sac or vesicle, bladder Example: cystocele (herniation of the urinary bladder)

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cyt-

answer

Definition: cell Example: cytosol (semifluid component of a cells cytoplasm)

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dactyl-

answer

Definition: finger, toe, digit Example: dactylogram (fingerprint)

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de-

answer

Definition: from, down, away Example: detox (to purify)

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derm-

answer

Definition: skin Example: dermis (vascular inner layer of the skin)

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di-

answer

definition: two disacchardie (a double sugar)

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dia-

answer

Definition: across, through Example: diaphragm (sheet of muscles that separate the abdominal cavity from the theoracic cavity

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diplo-

answer

Definition: double Example: diploid cell (cell containing two sets of chromosomes)

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dis-

answer

Definition: away, not, negative Example: differ (away from normal)

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-duct

answer

Definition: to lead Example: aqueduct (a channel or passage that leads to an organ or body part)

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ecto-

answer

Definition: outer, external Example: ectotherm (an organism that uses external heat to regulate its body temperature)

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-ectomy

answer

Definition: remove, excise Example: tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils

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-emia

answer

Definition: blood Example: leukemia (form of cancer characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the body

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encephal-

answer

Definition: brain Example: encephalogram (a graphical recording of the brain's electrical activity)

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endo-

answer

Definition: within Example: endotherm (organism that generates heat internally to maintain a constant body temperature)

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epi-

answer

Definition: above Example: epiphyte (a plant that grows on the surface of another plant for support)

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erythro-

answer

Definition: red Example: erythrocyte (red blood cell)

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eu-

answer

Definition: good, well, true Example: eukaryote (organisms whose cells contain a "true" membrane bound nucleus)

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ex-, exo-

answer

Definition:out of, outer Example: exoskeleton (hard outer structure that provides support of protection for an organism; shell

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extra-

answer

Definition: outside, beyond Example: extracellular (locating or occurring outside a cell)

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-form

answer

Definition: shape Example: bacilliform (rod shaped)

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gastr-

answer

Definition: stomach, belly Example: gastric juice (acidic fluid secreted by the stomach)

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-genesis

answer

Definition: beginning Example: gametogenesis (development and production of male and female germ cells)

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-genic

answer

Definition: producing, generating Example: carcinogenic (a cancer producing substance or agent)

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glycol-

answer

Definition: sugar, sweet Example: glycolysis (metabolic pathway that involves the splitting of sugars (glucose) into pyruvic acid)

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-gonium

answer

Definition: germ cell Example: archegonium (a female sex organ occuring in mosses, ferns, and most gymnosperms)

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gymno-

answer

Definition: naked Example: gymnosperms (vascular plants that bear naked or unenclosed seeds)

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haplo-

answer

Definition: single Example: haploid (having a single set of chromosomes)

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hem-, hemo-

answer

Definition: blood Example: hemoglobin (iron containing protein in red blood cells)

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hemi-

answer

Definition: half, partial Example: hemiparasite (organism that is able to live either as a parasite or independently)

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hetero-

answer

Definition: other, different Example: heterozygous (having two different alleles for a given trait)

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homo-

answer

Definition: same Example: homosexual (appealing to the same gender)

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hydro-

answer

Definition: water Example: hydrophilic (having an affinity for water; water loving)

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hyper-

answer

Definition: above, excessive Example: hyperthyroidism (condition resulting from the excessive production of thyroid hormones)

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hypo-

answer

Definition: under, beneath, lacking Example: hypodermic (of or pertaining to the parts under the skin

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in-, im-

answer

Definition: not Example: immobile (not moving)

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inter-

answer

Definition: between Example: interstitial fluid (fluid filling the spaces between cells)

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intra-

answer

Definition: within Example: intraocular (occurring within the eyeball)

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iso-

answer

Definition: equal Example: isogamy (fusion of male and female gametes that are the same size and structure

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-ite

answer

Definition: a part of an organ, body, or bodily part Example: somite (Each of a number of body segments containing the same internal structures)

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-itis

answer

Definition: inflammation Example: appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)

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karyo-

answer

Definition: nucleus, nut Example: karyogamy (uniting of cell nuclei; fertilization)

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kerat-

answer

Definition: horn, cornea Example: keratectomy: removal of a part of the cornea

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lact-

answer

Definition: milk Example: lactose (milk sugar)

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leuk-

answer

Definition: white Example: leukocytes (white blood cells)

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-logy

answer

Definition: science of, study of Example: biology (study of life and living organisms)

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-lysis

answer

Definition: decomposition, dissolving, destruction Example: chemolysis (decomposition of organic substances through the use of chemical agents)

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macro-

answer

Definition: large Example: macroevolution (evolutionary change on a large scale)

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mal-

answer

Definition:bad, abnormal Example: malformation: abnormal or anomalous formation

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mega-

answer

Definition: great, large Example: megalocephaly (having an abnormally large head

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melan-

answer

Definition: black Example: melanin (a group of naturally occurring dark pigments)

question

-mer

answer

Definition: denoting a substance of a particular class Example: polymer (two or more classes)

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meso-

answer

Definition: middle Example: mesophyll (photosynthetic tissue of a leaf, located between the upper and lower epidermis)

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meta-

answer

Definition: after, behind Example: metastasis (spreading of a disease to another part of the body from an original site)

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micro-

answer

Definition: small Example: microscope (a tool used to view small things that the naked eye cannot see)

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milli-

answer

Definition: thousand Example: millimeter (one thousandth of a meter)

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mono-

answer

Definition: one Example: monocots (flowering plants that possess one embryonic seed leaf)

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necro-

answer

Definition: death, corpse Example: necrobiosis (natural death of cells through the process of aging)

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nemat-

answer

Definition: thread, thread-like Example: nematocytes (thread-like stinging cells found in Hydra)

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nephr-

answer

Definition: kidney Example: nephron (small tubular excretory uit of the kidneys

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neuro-

answer

Definition: nerve Example: neuroblast (embryonic cell that develops into a nerve cell)

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-oid

answer

Definition: Resembling Example: cancroid (like a crab)

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-oma

answer

Definition: tumor Example: adenoma (a benign glandular epithelial tumor)

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oo-

answer

Definition: egg, ovum Example: oogenesis (formation and devlopment of an ovum)

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ortho-

answer

Definition: normal, straight, upright Example: orthostatic (relating to standing upright)

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-osis

answer

Definition: affected with, condition, abnormal Example: cirrhosis (chronic disease affecting the liver)

question

oste-

answer

Definition: bone Example: osteoporosis (abnormal reduction in the amount of bone mass resulting in fragile porous bones)

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-otomy

answer

Definition: act of cutting, incision Example: gastrotomy (incision in the stomach)

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-ous

answer

Definition: characterized by, full of Example: homozygous (union characterized by the joining of identical alleles for a single trait)

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ov-

answer

Definition: egg Example: ovum (female gamete, egg)

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para-

answer

Definition:around, near, beside Example: parathyroid (near or within the thyroid gland)

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path-

answer

Definition: disease Example: pathogen (disease causing agent)

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ped-

answer

Definition: child, children; foot Example: pediatrics (branch of medicine dealing with infant and child care)

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peri-

answer

Definition: around Example: pericardium (membranous sac surrounding the heart)

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phago-

answer

Definition: eating Example: phagocyte (a cell that engulfs and digests waste materials and microorganisms)

question

-philic

answer

Definition: love Example: thermophilic (relating to the love of heat or hot environments)

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-phobia

answer

Definition: fear Example: clurophobia (fear of clowns)

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phren-

answer

Definition: mind Example: phrenic (of or relating to the mind)

question

-phyll

answer

Definition: leaf Example: sporophyll (leaf that contains spores)

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-phyte

answer

Definition: pertaining to plants Example: saprophyte (plant having a characteristic or habitat)

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phyto-

answer

Definition: plant Example: phytochrome (pigment involved in many plant responses to light)

question

-plasm

answer

Definition: material forming cells Example: cytoplasm (contents of a cell exluding the nucleus)

question

poly-

answer

Definition: many Example: polysome (many ribosomes attached to a messenger RNA)

question

post-

answer

Definition: after Example: postmortem (occurring after death)

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pre-

answer

Definition: before, prior Example: prenatal (occurring before birth)

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pro-

answer

Definition: before, primary Example: protoderm (outer most primary meristem that forms the epidermis of roots and shoots)

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proto-

answer

Definition: primary Example: prototype (the primary model of a product)

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pub-

answer

Definition: adult Example: puberty (stage of adolescence marked by the functioning of sex gland; sexual maturation into adulthood)

question

re-

answer

Definition: back, again Example: regeneration (regrowth of the parts of an organism that are lost or destroyed)

question

retro-

answer

Definition: backward, behind Example: retrolental (occuring behind the lens of the eye

question

rhiz-

answer

Definition: root Example: rhizoids (root-like structures in some fungi and nonvascular plants

question

-rrhea

answer

Definition: flow, discharge Example: diarrhea (frequent and watery bowel movements)

question

scler-

answer

Definition: hard Example: sclerometer (instrument that measures the hardness of materials)

question

-scope

answer

Definition: instrument for inspecting or viewing Example: bronchoscope (instrument for inspecting the interior of the bronchi)

question

semi-

answer

Definition: half, partially Example: semiconscious (half conscious)

question

soma-

answer

Definition: body Example: somatosensory (the perception of sensory stimuli from the skin and internal organs of the body)

question

somato-

answer

Definition: body Example: somatosensory (the perception of sensory stimuli from the skin and internal organs of the body)

question

sperm-

answer

Definition: seed, male reproductive cell Example: spermatazoa (male gametes)

question

-stasis

answer

Definition: slowing; stable state Example: bacteriostasis (the slowing down of bacterial growth)

question

stoma-

answer

Definition: opening Example: stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)

question

-stome

answer

Definition: mouth Example: peristome (area around the mouth in some animals)

question

sub-

answer

Definition: below, inferior Example: subcellular (below the cellular level)

question

super-

answer

Definition: above, excessive Example: supersaturate (to add to a solution so that it becomes highly concentrated)

question

sym-

answer

Definition:together, with Example: synecology (study of the ecological interrelationships among groups of organism)

question

tachy-

answer

Definition: fast, accelerated Example: tachymeter (instrument for measuring speed)

question

tact-

answer

Definition: touch Example: tactus (sense of touch)

question

tel-, telo-

answer

Definition: end Example: telomere (the end of a chromosome

question

tetra-

answer

Definition: four Example: tetrapetalous (flower with four distinct petals)

question

-therm

answer

Definition: heat Example: endotherm (organism that generates heat internally to maintain a constant body temperature)

question

-tomy

answer

Definition: act of cutting, incision Example:lobotomy (cutting of the nerve tracts in the frontal lobes of the brain)

question

tri-

answer

Definition: three Example: triglyceride (fat composed of three glycerol molecules that are bonded to three fatty acids)

question

-troph

answer

Definition: nourish Example: heterotroph (organism that relies on organic substances for nourishment

question

-tropic

answer

Definition: turning or changing Example: thermotropic (tending to move towards or away from a source of hear)

question

un-

answer

Definition: not Example: unsaturated (not saturated; capable of dissolving more of a substance)

question

uni-

answer

Definition: one Example: unicellular (having a single cell)

question

ur-, uro-

answer

Definition: urine Example: ureter (duct leading from the kidney to the urinary bladder)

question

vas-

answer

Definition: vessel Example: vasodilation (dilation of a blood vessel)

question

xeno-

answer

Definition: strange, foreign Example: xenotransplantation (surgical removal and transplantation of an organ or tissue from one species to a different species)

question

xer-

answer

Definition: dry Example: xeroderma (abnormally dry skin)

question

xylo

answer

Definition: wood Example: xylophilous (growing in or living on wood)

question

zoo-, zoa-,

answer

Definition: animal Example: zoologist (a person who studies animals and animal life)

question

zyg-

answer

Definition: yoke, union Example: zygote (a fertilized cell)

Biology prefixes & suffixes – Flashcards

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