polymorphs
Same substance, different structures
Polymorphs are variant forms of the same substance or organism.
In chemistry, polymorphs are different crystalline structures of identical chemical compounds—carbon exists as diamond and graphite.
In biology, polymorphs refer to organisms showing different forms within a species, or to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (white blood cells with multi-lobed nuclei).
The verb polymorph means to transform into different shapes: The creature polymorphed into a dragon.
Openwork of crossed strips
- allotropesElemental structural variants
- phasesDistinct periods in sequence
- diamondCrystallized carbon gemstone
- graphiteCrystalline carbon allotrope
quartz · trigonal · hexagonal · isometric · solid-state · calcite · aragonite · cocoa butter
Being altering its form
- changelingSubstituted fairy child
- proteanReadily changing form
- werewolfShapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
doppelganger · transfiguration · morphing · T-1000 · kitsune · selkie · transformation · disguise
Variant forms of genes
- phenotypesObservable organism characteristics
- mutationsAlterations in genetic sequence
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
- goldElement seventy-nine
lead · elixir · magnum opus · Hermes Trismegistus · Nicolas Flamel · tincture
lattice
Openwork of crossed strips
- allotropesElemental structural variants
- phasesDistinct periods in sequence
- diamondCrystallized carbon gemstone
graphite · quartz · trigonal · hexagonal · isometric · solid-state · calcite · aragonite · cocoa butter · pharmaceutical
shapeshifter
Being altering its form
- changelingSubstituted fairy child
- proteanReadily changing form
- werewolfShapeshifting wolf-person
skinwalker · doppelganger · transfiguration · morphing · T-1000 · kitsune · selkie · transformation · disguise · shifting
alleles
Variant forms of genes
- phenotypesObservable organism characteristics
- mutationsAlterations in genetic sequence
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
enzymes · antigens · blood types · conformations · dimorphism
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
gold · lead · elixir · magnum opus · Hermes Trismegistus · Nicolas Flamel · tincture
- Inorganic Chemistrytransition metals, periodic table, ligand field theory, alkali metals, noble gases
- bryozoansElectra, phylactolaemata, avicularium, heterozooid
- Deep Eartholivine