What does "leuk/o" translate to in medical terms?

The term "leuk/o" comes from the Greek word "leukos," meaning "white." In medical terminology, this root is often used to refer to white blood cells, which are crucial components of the immune system and are involved in fighting infections. For example, terms like "leukemia" (a type of cancer that affects white blood cells) and "leukocyte" (a white blood cell) directly incorporate "leuk/o" to specify the relationship to the color white, which is indicative of these cells' appearance under a microscope when stained. This understanding of "leuk/o" as "white" is fundamental when examining various medical conditions and lab results that involve blood and immune responses.