Suffix · forms nouns
From Greek "soma" (body): names cellular structures or bodies. Chromosome, ribosome.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
The suffix -some comes from Greek "soma" (body) and names cellular structures or bodies with a specific function. From "chromo-" (colour — they absorb dyes) comes "chromosome"; from "ribo-" (ribose sugar) comes "ribosome" (where proteins are made). Spanish: chromosome → cromosoma, ribosome → ribosoma, genome → genoma.
chromosome = carries DNA (humans have 46) ribosome = the cell's protein factory lysosome = a bag of digestive enzymes inside the cell centrosome = organises cell division peroxisome = destroys toxic compounds (e.g. alcohol in the liver) autosome = a non-sex chromosome (the 44 non-X/Y chromosomes) Human Genome Project = sequenced all human DNA 1990-2003 microbiome = the community of microorganisms living in/on the body
"Genome" uses the variant -ome (contracted from soma) meaning "complete set of": genome = complete genetic material of an organism proteome = complete set of proteins expressed microbiome = complete community of microorganisms phenome = complete set of observable traits From these grew the -omics sciences: genomics, proteomics, microbiomics. A practical everyday example: "My microbiome is out of balance" — gut health discussions use this term constantly in modern English.
Root (colour, function or associated molecule) + some.
Family: -some (cellular structure), -somal (adjective: chromosomal, ribosomal), -omics (science of the complete set: genomics, proteomics, microbiomics). The -ome ending (no s) is the variant meaning "complete set of", not a single structure.
-some/səʊm/ · rhymes with 'home'
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"some" as an English word = a certain amount (somebody, something, somehow). "-some" as Greek suffix = body (chromosome, ribosome). Same spelling, completely different meanings.
In English: chromosome (not "chromosoma"). The Spanish -soma ending becomes -some in English: chromosome, ribosome, lysosome.
"genome" uses the contracted variant -ome (no s): gen + ome = genome. The -ome ending signals "complete set of" rather than a single structure.
A trick to remember it
-some = cellular structure with a specific function. Key ones: chromosome (DNA carrier), ribosome (protein factory), lysosome (cellular digestion). Variant -ome = complete set: genome (all DNA), microbiome (all microbes). Adjective: -somal (chromosomal, ribosomal).
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What does a "ribosome" do?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"Genome" refers to...
The suffix -some from Greek "soma" (body): names cellular structures or bodies. Chromosome, ribosome. In Spanish it usually maps to -soma / -somo.
The ending -some is pronounced /səʊm/ · rhymes with 'home'. For example, "chromosome".
"chromo (colour)" becomes "chromosome". It is a typical example of the -some suffix.
From Greek "genein" (to produce, to originate): names what produces something or the origin of a process. Oxygen, pathogen.
From Greek "lysis" (loosening, dissolving): indicates decomposition, separation or dissolution. Analysis, dialysis.
Names a science or field of study: bio + ology = biology.
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