Which pairing correctly matches the combining form with its meaning?

Which pairing correctly matches the combining form with its meaning?

• A. Gluc/o — glucose
• B. Dermat/o — bone
• C. Lys/o — destruction
• D. Opt/o — ear

Answer: (C)

Lys/o indicates destruction or breakdown. This combining form comes from the idea of lysis, meaning to loosen or dissolve, so it’s used in terms that describe destruction or breakdown of cells, tissue, or substances (for example, lysis or lysosome). That makes it the best match for destruction among the options. The other roots point to different body parts or concepts: gluc/o denotes sugar (and is related to glucose as a sugar in the body); dermat/o refers to the skin; oste/o refers to bone; opt/o relates to vision or the eye, not the ear.

Lys/o indicates destruction or breakdown. This combining form comes from the idea of lysis, meaning to loosen or dissolve, so it’s used in terms that describe destruction or breakdown of cells, tissue, or substances (for example, lysis or lysosome). That makes it the best match for destruction among the options.

The other roots point to different body parts or concepts: gluc/o denotes sugar (and is related to glucose as a sugar in the body); dermat/o refers to the skin; oste/o refers to bone; opt/o relates to vision or the eye, not the ear.