Morphology (biology): Difference between revisions
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==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
'''Morphology''' is the branch of [[biology]] that deals with the structure of plants and animals. The term is also used to refer to the physical appearance, i.e. size, shape, color, texture, and location of something, e.g. the morphology of a cancerous mole versus a benign one. | '''Morphology''' is the branch of [[biology]] that deals with the structure of plants and animals. The term is also used to refer to the physical appearance, i.e. size, shape, color, texture, and location of something, e.g. the morphology of a cancerous mole versus a benign one. The terms morphology and anatomy are almost synonymous but you are more likely to see the term morphology used in relation to plants and comparative anatomy, while the term anatomy is more likely to be used in relation to animals, epecially mammals, and humans in particular. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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Revision as of 19:26, 19 February 2007
Definition
Morphology is the branch of biology that deals with the structure of plants and animals. The term is also used to refer to the physical appearance, i.e. size, shape, color, texture, and location of something, e.g. the morphology of a cancerous mole versus a benign one. The terms morphology and anatomy are almost synonymous but you are more likely to see the term morphology used in relation to plants and comparative anatomy, while the term anatomy is more likely to be used in relation to animals, epecially mammals, and humans in particular.
Etymology
Branches of Morphology
The major branches of morphology are plant morphology, which is sometimes called phytotomy, and animal morphology, called zootomy or anatomy, which more often refers to mammals and especially the human species (Homo sapiens).