Final answer:
The prefix para- means 'near, beside' and is used to describe proximity or parallelism in various words, as well as specific positions in chemistry terminology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prefix para- means 'b. near, beside'.
In English, the prefix para- is used to form words that indicate proximity, similarity, or parallelism in comparison to something else. For example, in the word parallel, the prefix para- suggests lines that run alongside each other. Similarly, in medical terms like parathyroid glands, the prefix indicates glands that are beside the thyroid. Another use of the prefix can be found in chemistry.
When describing positions on a benzene ring, the term para- position refers to a specific arrangement of atoms that are opposite each other on the ring structure, which is a 1,4 relationship. This demonstrates the flexibility and variety of contexts in which the prefix para- is applied.