Final answer:
The prefix hyper- means 'over,' 'high,' or 'excess.' In biology, it describes solutions with higher osmolarity relative to cells, such as hypertonic solutions, and in medical terminology, it describes conditions above normal levels like hypertension. In chemistry, the prefix per- is sometimes used as a short form for hyper-, indicating a greater number of oxygen atoms compared to the -ate ion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prefix hyper- does not mean "less than normal"; rather, it typically means "over," "beyond," "high," or "excess." For instance, in the term hypertonic solution, hyper- indicates that the extracellular fluid has a higher osmolarity than the cell's cytoplasm, leading to water moving out of the cell. Similarly, in medical terminology, the prefix hyper- in hypertension is indicative of "high" as it pertains to abnormally high blood pressure.
In chemistry, when referring to polyatomic ions, per- is a short form for hyper-, indicating more oxygen atoms than the -ate ion; for example, perchlorate (ClO4¯) has more oxygen atoms than chlorate (ClO3¯). Conversely, hypo- signifies fewer oxygen atoms, as in hypochlorite, which has fewer oxygen atoms than chlorite.