The document defines polymorphism in four scientific disciplines: biology, genetics, biochemistry, and computer science. In biology, polymorphism refers to members of the same population having different visual characteristics. In genetics, it reflects genetic variation between individuals. In biochemistry, it describes subtle structural differences in otherwise identical proteins. In computer science, polymorphism allows a routine to use variables of different types, presents the same interface for different data types, and allows objects to respond uniquely to the same message.