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Sapro- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “rotten.” It is used in some scientific terms, especially in biology.

Sapro- comes from the Greek �������ó��, meaning “rotten, putrid.”

What are variants of sapro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, sapro- becomes sapr-, as in sapremia.

One example of a scientific term that features the combining form sapro- is saprophyte, also known as a saprobe. A saprophyte is a plant, fungus, or microorganism that lives on dead organic matter.

We know that sapro- means “rotten.” So, what about the –phyte part of the word? It means “plant.” Saprophyte literally translates to “rotten plant”—that is, the organism eats decaying organic matter.

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

• saprobiology
• saprobiont
• saprogen
• saprolite
• sapropel
• saprotroph
• saprozoic

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

• salpingo-
• sarco-
• super-
• supra-

The combining form -troph refers to an organism with given nutritional requirements—that is, it feeds on certain things. Based on the meaning of sapro-, what does saprotroph eat?