Final answer:
The underlined portion (hypo) in the word (hypo)lipemia is a prefix, which modifies the meaning of the root word it precedes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the word (hypo)lipemia, the underlined portion (hypo) represents a prefix. A prefix in medical terminology is a word part that is added to the beginning of a root or base word to modify its meaning. In this instance, the prefix hypo- means 'under' or 'below normal'. When combined with the root word lipemia, which concerns the concentration of lipids in the blood, it suggests a condition where there is a lower than normal concentration of lipids in the bloodstream.