Endo- (end-) is a prefix that means “inside” or “within.” It is commonly used in the medical field to describe the inner parts of organs, tissues, and cells (McLendon, 2019). It is often used to describe the innermost layer of a structure, such as the endoderm of the four-layered embryonic disk (McLendon, 2019). Endo- is also used to describe processes that take place inside such as endocytosis, which is the process of taking in materials from the outside environment inside a cell (Abdul & Arul, 2019).
Endo- is used to describe the inner or innermost part of many biological structures. For example, the endocarp is the innermost layer of the fruit wall (McLendon, 2019). It is also used to describe the innermost layer of the dermis, which is the endodermis (McLendon, 2019). Endo- is also used to describe the inner layer of the eye, which is the endophthalmic layer (McLendon, 2019).
Endo- is also used to describe certain processes and functions. Endosymbiosis is the process by which one cell lives within another cell (Abdul & Arul, 2019). Endocytosis is the process by which materials from outside the cell are taken in by the cell (Abdul & Arul, 2019). Endomorphism is the process by which certain molecules can be changed in shape without changing their chemical composition (McLendon, 2019).
In addition to these examples, endo- is used to describe a variety of other processes and functions. For example, endoparasites are parasites that live inside their host (McLendon, 2019). Endoskeleton is a type of skeleton found in some animals, such as vertebrates, that is composed of internal bones (McLendon, 2019). Endometrium is the innermost layer of the uterus (McLendon, 2019).
In conclusion, endo- is a prefix used to describe the inner or innermost part of a structure, process, or function. It is commonly used in the medical field to describe organs, tissues, cells, and processes. It is also used to describe a variety of other processes and functions.
References:
Abdul, A., & Arul, P. (2019). Endocytosis: Definition, Processes, and Types. Retrieved from https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Endocytosis.aspx
McLendon, V. (2019). What Does Endo- Mean? Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/endo-.