What is Pleomorphism?

Pleomorphism is understood to be a phenomenon that has to do with plant life. Specifically, a pleomorphic event has to do with the development of two or more structural forms during a life cycle. Here is some background on the discovery of pleomorphism, and some of the controversy surrounding the concept.

Pleomorphism was first discovered as an activity associated with the life cycle of some plants during the early years of the 20th century. Essentially, the basic idea of pleomorphism revolves around the performance of bacteria during the cycle. Bacteria is understood to have the ability to change its shape dramatically during the life cycle, as well as change or morph into a series of different forms that continue to shift in shape for the duration of the cycle. Among the proponents of pleomorphism was well known scientist Antoine Bechamp. The idea behind pleomorphism was that the concept would provide an effective answer to one of the major questions of the medical community, which was how to effectively isolate and identify bacteria, and as a result develop effective treatments.

While pleomorphism attracted a great deal of attention, there was also a large body of scientists who believed the concept was faulty. Some of the notable opponents to pleomorphism were such respected figures as Rudolf Virchow, Ferdinand Cohn, and Robert Koch. Many of the detractors chose to support the concept of monomorphism, which held that all forms of proteus more or less held its shape and only produced other protean cells that were of a similar shape. Over time, monomorphism became the dominant concept in scientific thinking, and continues to occupy that status today. Continue Reading >>