Which combining form is derived from a word meaning thin, such as a plate or fish scale?

• A. lamin/o
• B. ren/o
• C. bi/o
• D. phot/o

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing a combining form that comes from a word meaning a thin plate or thin layer. Lamin/o comes from lamina, which means a thin plate or flat layer. That makes it the best fit for a term associated with something thin and plate-like, such as a plate or even fish scales. In medical terms, lamin/o- shows up in words like lamina (a thin plate of bone) or laminar (arranged in layers), underscoring the idea of thin, flat structure.

The other options don’t carry that sense: ren/o refers to the kidney, bi/o to life, and phot/o to light. They point to different concepts entirely, not a thin plate or layer.