Final answer:
The term -physis refers to the process of growth, particularly the growth of long bones which occurs at the epiphyseal plate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term -physis refers to the process of growth. Specifically, when used in the context of bone growth, it is associated with the epiphyseal plate, also known as the growth plate. This is the region between the diaphysis (the shaft or central part of a long bone) and the epiphysis (the rounded end of a bone, filled with red bone marrow).
Long bones grow in length through the activity at the epiphyseal plate, where new bone tissue is formed. This growth occurs until adolescence in humans, after which the epiphyseal plate calcifies and bone growth in length ceases. In summary, the option 1) to grow is the correct answer to the question regarding the meaning of the term -physis.