Lämpötilansopeutuminen

Lämpötilansopeutuminen, known in English as temperature acclimation or acclimatization, refers to the physiological adjustments organisms make to changes in their environmental temperature. This process allows them to maintain optimal metabolic function and survival within a new thermal range. It is a reversible process, meaning that as the external temperature shifts back, the organism can often revert to its previous physiological state.

There are two main types of temperature acclimation: cold acclimation and warm acclimation. Cold acclimation involves a series of changes that help an organism survive and function in lower temperatures. These might include increasing metabolic rate to generate more heat, altering cell membrane fluidity to prevent them from becoming too rigid, or producing antifreeze proteins to prevent ice crystal formation. Warm acclimation, conversely, prepares an organism for higher temperatures. This can involve increasing heat dissipation mechanisms, such as vasodilation in peripheral blood vessels, or reducing metabolic rate to conserve energy and minimize heat production.

The duration and extent of acclimation can vary greatly depending on the species and the magnitude of the temperature change. For some organisms, it can occur within hours or days, while for others, it may take weeks or even months. Acclimation is distinct from adaptation, which is a genetically based evolutionary change occurring over generations that improves a population's fitness in a particular environment. Acclimation is an individual's capacity to adjust to environmental conditions within its lifetime.