Acclimatisation

Acclimatisation is the process by which an organism adjusts to changes in its environment. This adjustment can occur over short or long periods and may involve physiological, biochemical, or behavioural modifications. For example, when a person travels to a high altitude, their body undergoes acclimatisation to the lower oxygen levels by producing more red blood cells. Similarly, plants may acclimatise to changes in light intensity or temperature by altering their growth patterns or metabolic processes.

The rate and extent of acclimatisation depend on several factors, including the magnitude of the environmental change, the organism's species, and its individual characteristics. Acclimatisation is a crucial survival mechanism, enabling organisms to cope with varying conditions and maintain homeostasis. While acclimatisation is an adaptive response, it is distinct from genetic adaptation, which involves heritable changes in a population over generations. Acclimatisation refers to the adjustments an individual organism makes within its lifetime. It is a dynamic process, and if the environmental conditions revert to their original state, the organism may de-acclimatise. This capacity for adjustment is fundamental to the resilience of life across diverse ecosystems.