Polymorphism is a concept in programming that allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. This means that a single function or method can work with different types of objects, enabling flexibility and reusability in code. For example, a function designed to process shapes can accept both Circle and Square objects, as they both inherit from a common Shape class.
In addition to programming, polymorphism also appears in biology, where it refers to the occurrence of different forms or types within a species. For instance, butterflies can exhibit various color patterns, allowing them to adapt to their environments and evade predators. This biological polymorphism enhances survival and reproduction among species.