Polymorphisms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The existence of multiple distinct forms or variants of a particular gene in a population
2. The occurrence of different allele variations in a gene that can lead to diversified traits among individuals
3. The presence of various morphological forms within a species affected by genetic factors or environmental influences

Etymology: "Polymorphisms" is the plural of "polymorphism," which comes from Greek "polymorphos," meaning "of many forms," from "poly" ("many") and "morphe" ("form"). The term was first used for crystals that could take more than one structure, a usage that appeared in chemistry in the early 1800s. Biologists later borrowed it for variation within a species, and the genetic sense is the one that usually comes to mind today.