Which prefix means the soul, the mind, the understanding?

• A. Psych/o
• B. Medi/o
• C. Kinesi/o
• D. Muc/o

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is which combining form denotes the mind or soul. Psych-/psych/o comes from Greek psyche meaning mind or soul, and it appears in terms like psychology, psychiatry, and psychic, all of which relate to mental processes or the soul. The other prefixes refer to something else: medi/o means middle, kines/o refers to movement, and muc/o relates to mucus or mucous membranes. So psych/o is the correct choice because its meaning directly matches mind or soul, while the others do not.