polymorphism

/ˈpɑliˌmɔrˈfɪzəm/

Other forms: polymorphisms

Definitions of polymorphism

1. noun

   (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound
   synonyms: pleomorphism

   types:

   dimorphism

   (chemistry) the property of certain substances that enables them to exist in two distinct crystalline forms

   type of:

   chemical phenomenon

   any natural phenomenon involving chemistry (as changes to atoms or molecules)
2. noun

   (genetics) the genetic variation within a population that natural selection can operate on
   types:

   SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism

   (genetics) genetic variation in a DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered; SNPs are usually considered to be point mutations that have been evolutionarily successful enough to recur in a significant proportion of the population of a species

   type of:

   organic phenomenon

   (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals
3. noun

   (biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)
   types:

   dimorphism

   (biology) the existence of two forms of individual within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)

   type of:

   organic phenomenon

   (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals