Which abbreviation expands to Black?

Which abbreviation expands to Black?

• A. PED
• B. ONC
• C. NECR
• D. MELAN

Answer: (D)

Color in medical terminology is conveyed by roots that indicate pigments. Melan- comes from the Greek melas meaning black, and shows up in words like melanin, melanocyte, and melanoma. Because MELAN is the abbreviation form of that root, it expands to melanin, the black pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. The other options point to different concepts—PED relates to pediatrics or foot, ONC to oncology, NECR to necrosis—so they don't denote black. Therefore, MELAN is the one that expands to Black.

Color in medical terminology is conveyed by roots that indicate pigments. Melan- comes from the Greek melas meaning black, and shows up in words like melanin, melanocyte, and melanoma. Because MELAN is the abbreviation form of that root, it expands to melanin, the black pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. The other options point to different concepts—PED relates to pediatrics or foot, ONC to oncology, NECR to necrosis—so they don't denote black. Therefore, MELAN is the one that expands to Black.