Globular

Globular is an adjective used to describe objects that resemble a globe or are roughly spherical in shape. The term derives from the Latin globulus. In scientific and cross-disciplinary usage, globular suggests a compact, rounded form rather than an elongated or irregular outline. The word is applied across natural and man-made contexts to convey a ball-like geometry.

In astronomy, globular clusters are densely packed, roughly spherical assemblies of old stars bound by gravity. They orbit the halos of galaxies and can contain tens of thousands to millions of stars within a relatively small volume. Globular clusters are among the oldest known stellar systems, providing insights into early galaxy formation and stellar evolution. They are distinct from open clusters, which are looser and younger.

In biochemistry, globular proteins are typically compact, folded, water-soluble proteins with roughly spherical shapes. They contrast with fibrous proteins in both form and solubility. Globular proteins perform a wide range of functions, including catalysis, transport, and regulation. Their stability often arises from a hydrophobic core and a network of polar interactions on the surface. Examples include hemoglobin and many enzymes.

In botany and horticulture, globular describes plant parts whose outline is round or ball-shaped, such as globular inflorescences or globose fruits. The term helps describe macroscopic morphology and can assist in classification and identification.

In mathematics and related fields, globular can refer to globular sets, a combinatorial framework for modeling higher categories. They consist of cells of successive dimensions with source and target maps, organized by a globular incidence structure. The globular approach contrasts with simplicial methods and is part of ongoing research in higher-dimensional algebra and category theory.