Final answer:
Prefixes modify root words to convey specific meanings. In anatomy, they describe conditions, in chemistry, they denote number of atoms, and in the metric system, they indicate multiples or fractions of units.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prefixes can be used in various contexts, including anatomical terms, chemical nomenclature, and units of measure. They serve to provide details in relation to the base terms they are used with. For instance, in anatomical terms, prefixes can describe a wide range of conditions, such as hypertension. The prefix 'hyper-' indicates 'high' or 'over' and modifies the root word 'tension,' referring to pressure, to describe a condition of abnormally high blood pressure. Similarly, prefixes in chemistry help specify the number of atoms in binary molecular compounds. Another use of prefixes is found in the metric system, where they denote specific multiples or fractions of units, enabling more convenient measure of various quantities.