What is acclimation?

What is acclimation?

• A. Long-term evolutionary change
• B. Response to environmental changes
• C. Migration of alleles
• D. Increase in genetic diversity

Answer: (B)

Acclimation refers to the physiological and behavioral adjustments that an organism makes in response to changes in its environment. This process allows individuals to cope with varying conditions, such as temperature, humidity, or altitude, typically occurring over a relatively short time frame compared to evolutionary changes. For instance, when a person moves to a higher altitude, they may experience shortness of breath initially but will gradually acclimate, improving their oxygen utilization. In contrast, long-term evolutionary changes represent shifts in genetic traits within populations over many generations, and migration of alleles pertains to the movement of genetic diversity between populations. An increase in genetic diversity involves variations and mutations in the genetic makeup of a population but does not directly relate to an individual's adaptive response to current environmental conditions. Thus, acclimation specifically captures the immediate adjustments an organism makes, making it the correct choice.

Acclimation refers to the physiological and behavioral adjustments that an organism makes in response to changes in its environment. This process allows individuals to cope with varying conditions, such as temperature, humidity, or altitude, typically occurring over a relatively short time frame compared to evolutionary changes. For instance, when a person moves to a higher altitude, they may experience shortness of breath initially but will gradually acclimate, improving their oxygen utilization.

In contrast, long-term evolutionary changes represent shifts in genetic traits within populations over many generations, and migration of alleles pertains to the movement of genetic diversity between populations. An increase in genetic diversity involves variations and mutations in the genetic makeup of a population but does not directly relate to an individual's adaptive response to current environmental conditions. Thus, acclimation specifically captures the immediate adjustments an organism makes, making it the correct choice.