What term describes the morphology of organisms that vary in shape and size?

The term "pleomorphic" refers to organisms that can exhibit a variety of shapes and sizes rather than conforming to a single, uniform morphology. This characteristic is often observed in certain types of bacteria and other microorganisms, which can alter their form in response to environmental conditions or during different phases of their life cycle. Pleomorphism is significant in microbiology as it can affect the identification and classification of microorganisms, impacting diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies.

Monomorphic, on the other hand, describes organisms that maintain a consistent shape throughout their life cycle. Uniform conveys a sense of sameness, while homogeneous generally refers to a composition that is uniform in structure or components. Neither of these terms precisely captures the variability in morphology that pleomorphic organisms exhibit.