Final answer:
The word 'polycystic' is made up of the prefix 'poly-', the root word 'cyst', and the suffix '-ic'. The prefix 'poly-' means 'many', the root 'cyst' refers to a fluid-filled sac, and the suffix '-ic' describes the characteristic or condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polycystic is a word made up of the prefix 'poly-', the root word 'cyst', and the suffix '-ic'. The prefix 'poly-' means 'many' and the root word 'cyst' refers to a fluid-filled sac. The suffix '-ic' indicates that something is 'pertaining to' or 'related to'.
Therefore, in the word 'polycystic', the prefix 'poly-' suggests that there are many cysts, the root word 'cyst' refers to the actual cysts, and the suffix '-ic' describes the characteristic or condition of having multiple cysts.