Learn English – Does the suffix in “lipolysis” and “ketosis” have the same meaning in both the words

meaningsuffixes

Lipolysis and ketosis both end in ‑sis.

Does that suffix have the same meaning in both the words?

Best Answer

No. The suffix in lipolysis is -lysis, while the suffix in ketosis is -osis.

-lysis is a 'scientific/medical suffix meaning "loosening, dissolving, dissolution," from Gk. lysis'.
The word lipolysis means the breakdown of lipids.

The word ketosis comes from 'keto- combining form of ketone, + -osis', where -osis is a 'suffix expressing state or condition, in medical terminology denoting "a state of disease," from L. -osis, from Gk. -osis'. Ketosis is a disease 'characterised by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood'.

The connection between the two is that the process of lipolysis produces ketones, an excess of which is called ketosis, but this is not an etymological connection.