Which term means pertaining to iron?

• A. Ferric
• B. Ferrous
• C. Ferruginous
• D. Ferrate

Answer: (B)

Terms for iron come from the Latin ferrum (or the Greek ferro- root). The endings indicate both association and oxidation state. Ferrous denotes iron in the +2 state and is the standard medical descriptor for iron-containing substances, as in ferrous sulfate. Ferric refers to iron in the +3 state, a different chemical form. Ferruginous means iron-containing or iron-rich in a general sense, often describing something bearing iron rather than specifying its oxidation state. Ferrate points to a specific iron-containing compound or ion, not a general descriptor of iron.

Because the question asks for the term most directly meaning “pertaining to iron” in typical medical usage, ferrous is the best fit. It’s the common adjective used for iron-containing substances and supplements, whereas ferric is more about a particular oxidation state, and the others describe broader iron-containing contexts or specific compounds.