Define Acclimatization

Acclimatization is the change happening in an organism to help compensate for the change in the environment. It is the compensatory adjustment of an organism to survive the changing conditions in its habitat. These changes can be physiological, morphological, or anatomical, which helps them survive the conditions. 

Why Does it Happen?

Such changes happen due to the influence of different environmental factors and not just a single factor. Acclimatization occurs in response to stress factors such as humidity, temperature, photoperiod, etc. These changes can happen within a short time of days or weeks and can last longer. In most cases, these changes are reversible with a change in the environment. 

One example of acclimatization is the changes in the human body when someone has migrated to a hillside. The body makes physiological changes in the RBC count to increase the oxygen supply. Changes are common after about a year or more. The other changes occurring due to acclimatization are, 

• Synthesis of protein and phospholipid increases
• More isoenzymes are synthesized to suit the new environment.
• Membrane lipids are modified by becoming unsaturated so that they can remain in a liquid state even during extreme cold conditions.

Acclimatization in Plants

In plants, acclimatization is seen in plants grown through tissue conditions. The plants growing in a controlled environment in the laboratory cannot easily survive the natural weather conditions. Therefore, these plants are subjected to a stepwise acclimatization process to prepare them for the natural conditions. 

A change in growth media and transfer to the greenhouse are primary steps. The aim here is to make the plants feel the gradual changes and make necessary alterations physiologically. The plants exposed to the new conditions will be in shock but their photosynthetic activity will also be triggered to work better. 

Gradually, changes in the growing conditions are made and the growing plantlets will be better able to live in the outside conditions. What makes them prepared for the natural environment is acclimatization. 

In another example, plants adjust their response to environmental changes physiologically, anatomically, or morphologically. There could be changes in their overall growth, regulation of protein synthesis, metabolic pathways, senescence, etc.  Any or all the plant parts such as the leaf, roots, stems, seeds, etc., could show the response. It is the signaling system that enables these changes.

References

• Tran, N. (2022, February 17). What is acclimatization in plant tissue culture? Lab Associates. https://labassociates.com/what-is-acclimatization-in-plant-tissue-culture.
• Demmig-Adams, B., Dumlao, M., Herzenach, M., & Adams, W. (2007). Acclimation. Encyclopedia of Ecology, 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-008045405-4.00001-X

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