Morfologie

Morfologie, or morphology in English, is the study of form and structure in varied domains, including biology, linguistics, and Earth science. The term derives from Greek morphe, form, and logos, study. Morphology examines shapes, structures, and their relationships to function, development, and classification.

In biology, morphology concerns the external and internal form of organisms, including organs, tissues, and organ systems. It encompasses terminologies such as anatomy, gross morphology, and microscopic structure. Morphological analysis supports taxonomy, phylogenetics, and evolutionary studies, and interacts with genetics and development (evo-devo).

In linguistics, morphology studies the structure of words, including morphemes, the smallest meaningful units. It covers inflection, derivation, compounding, and alternations across languages. Morphology interfaces with syntax and phonology and informs typology, language learning, and natural language processing.

In geology and earth science, morphology refers to the form and arrangement of natural features, including rocks and landforms. Geomorphology analyzes landscapes, processes that shape them (erosion, tectonics, sedimentation), and the interpretation of surface features in geomorphological maps.

Historically, morphology emerged in natural history and anatomy, advancing with microscopy and comparative anatomy. Modern morphology uses imaging, 3D reconstructions, quantitative morphometrics, and computational modeling. The term also appears in botany and paleontology, and in contemporary computational linguistics.