phyco-

Phyco- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “seaweed” or “algae.” It is used in many scientific terms, especially in botany.

Phyco- comes from the Greek phŷkos, meaning “seaweed.”

One example of a scientific term that features the combining form phyco- is phycology, “the branch of botany dealing with algae.”

We know phyco- means “algae,” so what about the -logy part of the word? It probably looks familiar. The combining form -logy is used in the names bodies of knowledge and areas of study. Phycology, then, literally translates to “the study of algae.”

What are some words that use the combining form phyco-?

• phycobilin
• phycobiont
• phycocyanin
• phycomycosis
• phycomycete
• phycoerythrin

What are some other forms that phyco- may be commonly confused with?

• psycho-
• photo-
• phyto-
• phyllo-
• pycno-
• pykno-

The combining form -mycete means “mushroom, fungus.” Phycomycetes are a type of fungus thought to resemble what organism?