Polyphenic is an adjective that means having the ability to produce more than one phenotype, or observable trait, from a single genetic makeup. Some synonyms for polyphenic include phenotypic plasticity, developmental plasticity, and environmental sensitivity. These related terms all refer to the capacity of an organism to adjust its morphology or behavior in response to environmental cues or developmental signals. Polyphenic traits can have ecological and evolutionary implications, affecting an organism's fitness and survival in a changing environment. Understanding polyphenism and its underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms is an active area of research in biology and ecology.