pleomorphism

ple·o·mor·phism

P0371900 (plē′ə-môr′fĭz′əm)n.1. Chemistry See polymorphism.2. Biology The occurrence of two or more distinct forms, as of an organism during its life cycle or of cells of a certain type.

ple′o·mor′phic adj.

pleomorphism

(ˌpliːəˈmɔːˌfɪzəm) or

pleomorphy

n1. (Biology) the occurrence of more than one different form in the life cycle of a plant or animal2. (Chemistry) the occurrence of more than one different form of crystal of one chemical compound; polymorphism ˌpleoˈmorphic adj

ple•o•mor•phism

(ˌpli əˈmɔr fɪz əm)

n. 1. the occurrence of two or more forms in the life cycle of an organism. 2. the ability of a microorganism to change shape under varying conditions. [1860–65] ple`o•mor′phic, adj.

pleomorphism, pleomorphy

the existence of a plant or animal in two or more distinct forms during a life cycle. Also called polymorphism. — pleomorphic, pleomorphous, adj.See also: Biology

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	pleomorphism - (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compoundpolymorphismchemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactionschemical phenomenon - any natural phenomenon involving chemistry (as changes to atoms or molecules)dimorphism - (chemistry) the property of certain substances that enables them to exist in two distinct crystalline forms
	2.	pleomorphism - (biology) the appearance of two or more distinctly different forms in the life cycle of some organismsbiological science, biology - the science that studies living organismsorganic phenomenon - (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals

Translations

Pleomorphism

pleomorphism

[‚plē·ō′mȯr‚fiz·əm] (biology) The occurrence of more than one distinct form of an organism in a single life cycle. (crystallography) polymorphism

Pleomorphism

an environmentally produced change in the incidence of disease and causes of death as well as in the properties of individual diseases, that is, nosologic entities (see NOSOLOGY).

During the 20th century, extensive immunization of populations and nationwide preventive measures in economically developed countries have eradicated many infectious diseases, for example, plague and poliomyelitis, and have sharply reduced infant mortality caused by infectious diseases. Changes in living conditions have reduced the incidence of diseases that stem from nutritional deficiency, for example, avitaminoses and iron-deficiency anemia. On the other hand, the incidence of injuries, tumors, and cardiovascular and viral diseases has increased.

New hereditary and occupational diseases have resulted from such environmental changes as those that accompany the growth of the chemical industry. Therapy-induced pleomorphism is a change in the clinical picture of a disease as a result of treatment. For example, the use of drugs has led to the disappearance of severe forms of thyrotoxicosis and anemia. Similarly, tuberculous meningitis, comas in diabetes mellitus, and acute pulmonary suppuration have become rare. In leukemia, tumor cells have disappeared from bone marrow because of the use of cytostatic agents, but they multiply in the nervous system and viscera. Undesirable side effects may follow medicinal treatment, and beyond a certain intensity these constitute a drug disease. The aftereffects of gastric or cardiac surgery, for example, can also give rise to disease.

Diseases that have received a new nosologic classification because of the growth of medical knowledge should not be considered examples of pleomorphism.

REFERENCES

Davydovskii, I. V. Patologicheskaia anatomiia i patogenez boleznei cheloveka, 3rd ed., vols. 1–2. Moscow, 1956–58.
Shul’tsev, G. P. “Terapevticheskii patomorfizm.” Klinicheskaia meditsina. 1973, no. 6.

pleomorphism

[ple″o-mor´fizm] the assumption of various distinct forms by a single organism or within a species. adj., adj pleomor´phic, pleomor´phous.

pol·y·mor·phism

(pol'ē-mōr'fizm), Occurrence in more than one form; existence in the same species or other natural group of more than one morphologic type. Synonym(s): pleomorphism

pleomorphism

(plē′ə-môr′fĭz′əm)n.1. Chemistry See polymorphism.2. Biology The occurrence of two or more distinct forms, as of an organism during its life cycle or of cells of a certain type.

ple′o·mor′phic adj.

pol·y·mor·phism

(pol'ē-mōr'fizm) Occurrence in more than one form; existence in the same species or other natural group of more than one morphologic type.
Synonym(s): pleomorphism.

pleomorphism

Taking different physical forms. Also known as polymorphism.

pol·y·mor·phism

(pol'ē-mōr'fizm) Occurrence in more than one form; existence in same species or other natural group of more than one morphologic type.
Synonym(s): pleomorphism.

pleomorphism

noun

Synonyms for pleomorphism

noun (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound

Synonyms

polymorphism

Related Words

chemical science
chemistry
chemical phenomenon
dimorphism

noun (biology) the appearance of two or more distinctly different forms in the life cycle of some organisms

Related Words

biological science
biology
organic phenomenon