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(biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)
Answer for the clue "(biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences) ", 12 letters:
polymorphism
Alternative clues for the word polymorphism
Word definitions for polymorphism in dictionaries
Wikipedia
Word definitions in Wikipedia
Polymorphism in biology and zoology is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms , also referred to as alternative phenotypes , in the population of a species. In order to be classified as such, morphs must occupy the same habitat ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 The ability to assume different forms or shapes. 2 (context biology English) The coexistence, in the same locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but produced from common parents. 3 (context ...
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Polymorphism \Pol`y*mor"phism\, n. (Crystallog.) Same as Pleomorphism . (Biol.) The capability of assuming different forms; the capability of widely varying in form. Existence in many forms; the coexistence, in the same locality, of two or more distinct ...
WordNet
Word definitions in WordNet
n. (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound [syn: pleomorphism ] (biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1839, from polymorph + -ism .
Usage examples of polymorphism.
A restriction fragment length polymorphism DNA test could eliminate virtually any possibility that the blood had come from anyone else.
We have recently developed and refined a subset of DNA testing called RFLPS, which stands for restriction fragment length polymorphism.