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Organo- is a combining form used like a prefix with several meanings. In biology and medicine, it refers to an “organ (of the body).” In chemistry, it represents organic, referring to “chemical compounds existing in or derived from plants or animals and carbon compounds.” Very occasionally, it means “musical instrument.”

Organo- comes from the Greek ó�������ԴDz�, meaning “organ.”

One example of a term that features the combining form organo- is organology, “the branch of biology that deals with the structure and functions of the organs of living things.”

As we have seen, in terms from biology, organo- means “organ.” The ending -logy may also look familiar: it is commonly used to denote areas of study. Organology literally translates to “the study of organs.”

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

• organography
• organoleptic
• organogenesis
• organochlorine
• organotrophic

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

• ergo-
• orchio-
• ornitho-

Genesis means “an origin, creation, development.” What does the biological term organogenesis refer to the development of?