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acclimation

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

acclimation The physiological changes occurring in an organism in response to a change in a particular environmental factor (e.g. temperature), especially under laboratory conditions. Thermal acclimation studies reveal how such properties as metabolic rate, muscle contractility, nerve conduction, and heart rate differ between cold- and warm-acclimated members of the same species. These changes occur naturally during acclimatization and equip the organism for living in, say, cold or warm conditions. Metabolic acclimation is explained mainly by changes in concentration and/or activity of crucial enzymes. Changes in composition of membrane lipids, particularly their degree of saturation, also occur, helping to maintain membrane stability in changing conditions. Heat-shock proteins help to protect and repair proteins damaged by thermal stress, and their expression increases under such conditions.

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acclimation

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

acclimation
1. A response by an animal that enables it to tolerate a change in a single factor (e.g. temperature) in its environment. The term is applied most commonly to animals used in laboratory experiments and implies a change in only one factor. Compare acclimatization (1).

2. See acclimatization (2).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "acclimation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "acclimation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-acclimation.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "acclimation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-acclimation.html

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acclimation

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

acclimation A response by an animal that enables it to tolerate a change in a single factor (e.g. temperature) in its environment. The term is applied most commonly to animals used in laboratory experiments and implies a change in only one factor. Compare ACCLIMATIZATION.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "acclimation." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "acclimation." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-acclimation.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "acclimation." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-acclimation.html

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