Isomorfo

Isomorfo is the adjective form for isomorphic, used across several disciplines to describe things that share the same form or underlying structure, even if other aspects differ. The term derives from the Greek iso- meaning "same" and morphe meaning "form." Its exact meaning depends on the field, but the core idea is structural equivalence rather than identical substance.

In mathematics, two objects are isomorphic when there exists a bijective map between them that preserves the relevant operations and relations. Isomorphism identifies structures that are structurally the same for the purposes of the theory. Examples include group isomorphisms, ring isomorphisms, and vector space isomorphisms, where the correspondence respects the algebraic rules.

In crystallography and mineralogy, isomorphy describes minerals that have the same or very similar crystal structure, allowing ions to substitute in the lattice without changing the overall framework. Minerals in an isomorphous series share structure but may differ in composition; a classic example is the olivine series Mg2SiO4–Fe2SiO4, where magnesium and iron can substitute with little change to the crystal lattice.

In biology and other contexts, the term isomorfo has appeared in historical or regional usage to indicate organisms or forms that resemble one another in appearance or development. Modern taxonomy more commonly uses terms such as homology and analogy to describe similarities arising from shared ancestry or convergent evolution, rather than relying on isomorphismo.

Overall, isomorfo signals a form of structural equivalence defined by the rules of a given field, rather than by identical content.