What does "chem/o" signify in medical terminology?

The term "chem/o" in medical terminology signifies "chemical" or "drug." This prefix is derived from the Greek word "khemeia," which refers to the art of transmuting metals, and has evolved to encompass the study and application of chemicals in various fields, especially in medicine and pharmacology.

In the context of medical terminology, "chem/o" is often used in terms related to treatments or therapies that involve chemicals. For example, "chemotherapy" refers to the use of chemical agents to treat cancer. Understanding this prefix is crucial because it helps in comprehending numerous medical terms associated with pharmacology and the use of drugs in therapeutic practices.

The other options do not relate to this prefix in the context of medical terminology. Biology pertains to the study of living organisms, temperature is related to thermal measurements, and physics deals with the principles of matter and energy. None of these fields directly involve the concept of chemicals or drugs, which solidly supports why "chem/o" is correctly associated with "chemical or drug."