Prepare for the West Coast EMT Block One Exam with comprehensive study materials. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ensure success on your exam day!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What does the root "melan/o" mean?

  1. white

  2. gray

  3. black

  4. red

The correct answer is: black

The root "melan/o" originates from the Greek word "melas," which means black. This prefix is commonly used in medical terminology to denote the presence of darkness or black pigmentation. For example, "melanin" is the pigment responsible for the dark color of skin, hair, and eyes. The use of "melan/o" indicates a reference to black or dark-colored conditions within medical terms, such as melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Understanding this root can significantly enhance the comprehension of various medical terms related to pigmentation and associated conditions.