Polymorph

/pˈɒlɪmˌɔːf/

/ˈpɑˌɫiˌmɔɹf/

[noun]

Polymorph

[NOUN]

a type of marine invertebrate that can change its shape and form through a process called polymorphism

What is "polymorph"?

Polymorph refers to a creature that can change its form or appearance. This could refer to various animals, such as insects, reptiles, and mammals that have the ability to change color, shape, size, or texture to adapt to their environment, attract a mate, or defend themselves from predators. In some cases, polymorphism may be a temporary adaptation, while in others, it may be a permanent feature of a species. Polymorphism can be found in a range of animal groups, and it is often driven by genetic variation and natural selection. Some examples of polymorphic animals include chameleons, cuttlefish, arctic foxes, and peppered moths.

Examples

1. Even a single polymorph of silica can take on a huge variety of forms.

2. There's six different point polymorphs of the cocoa fats in chocolate, and they melt at various temperatures.

3. In the early 1960s, scientists started doing research at a crater in Arizona and found a polymorph called stishovite.

4. So here's an x-ray diffraction pattern of the-- the upper one is cristobalite, which is one of the polymorphs of crystalline SiO2.