The suffix "-penia" means

• A. Fastening, fixation
• B. Lacking or reducing in number
• C. Expressing primarily by speech
• D. Reshaping or remodeling surgically

Answer: (B)

The suffix -penia signals a deficiency or paucity—something being lacking or reduced in number. It’s used in terms like leukopenia (low white blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (low platelets), showing how the idea of “deficiency” is embedded in the word.

Other suffixes point to different concepts, which is why they don’t fit here: a suffix meaning fastening or fixation would be used for bindings or anchors (not about a lack of quantity), a suffix connected to expressing by speech relates to speech or language function, and a suffix for reshaping surgically refers to remodeling or reconstruction.