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Glite Dictionary
phytochemist

phytochemist

9.9
A scientist who studies the chemicals in plants
  • noun
  • /ˌfaɪtəˈkɛmɪst/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fitoquímico
  • The phytochemist studied the compounds found in various herbs to discover their health benefits.

Examples

  • The late ecologist Stephen Risch and phytochemist Fred Rickson found that, unlike other ant plants, which produce ant food even after the ant colonies are removed, Piper ant plants manufacture food bodies only when Pheidole ants are in residence.

    Academic text (1993)

  • During her internship, the phytochemist conducted experiments to analyze the effects of plant chemicals on human cells.

  • A renowned phytochemist is researching how certain plants can be used to create natural pesticides.

Surface Forms

phytochemist singular
phytochemists plural

Morphology

phytochemist = chemist (semi-transparent) = phyto + chemist

Formed by adding the combining form 'phyto-' (meaning 'plant') to 'chemist'; the combining form is technical and may not be known to average learners.

Etymology

Phytochemist comes from the Greek root phyto- meaning 'plant' and the word chemist, a person who studies chemicals. So a phytochemist studies the chemical parts of plants, for example to find new medicines.