Acclimatization - Overview, Defination & Meaning

Introduction to Acclimatization

Acclimatization is the process by which an organism adjusts its behaviour or physiology in response to changes in its surrounding environment. It is usually over a short period and helps to function effectively under new environmental conditions. These changes may happen due to variations in temperature, light, oxygen levels, or other factors, which are important components of an ecosystem. Such adjustments help organisms maintain homeostasis and survive in challenging situations. The process is mostly reversible, that is, once the conditions return to normal, the organism can revert to its original state. This ability plays a vital role in survival of organisms and maintaining balance within their ecosystem.

What Is Acclimatization?

The change that takes place in physiological, anatomical, or morphological features in an organism due to changes in environmental pressure is known as acclimatization. In ecology, the acclimatization meaning encompasses the physiological and behavioural adjustments that organisms make in response to environmental stressors. Understanding acclimatization is essential for ecologists studying how different species cope with climate change and habitat alterations.

• The changes are usually reversible i.e., once the conditions are normal, the organism can revert to its original state.

• This process usually occurs in a short period (days to a week).

• When this process is done in vitro that is in artificial conditions in a lab, it is known as acclimation.

When we define acclimatization, we also recognize that it can involve both short-term adjustments, such as increased heart rate and breathing, and long-term adaptations that may occur over days or weeks in response to environmental stressors.

Examples of Acclimatization

The concept of acclimatization highlights the importance of flexibility in biological systems, allowing organisms to thrive in diverse environments. Researchers study the acclimatization meaning to better comprehend how animals and plants cope with climate change and habitat loss. Acclimatization physiology involves the physiological changes that organisms undergo to adapt to new environmental conditions, such as increased oxygen demand at high altitudes.

Stages of High-Altitude Acclimatization

The process of high-altitude acclimatization typically takes several days, during which individuals may experience symptoms like headaches and fatigue as their bodies adapt. Some of the common changes which usually take place in body, when they possess acclimatization on high altitudes are:

• Our body usually increases the synthesis of Red blood cells

• There is also an increase in pressure in pulmonary arteries – so that blood forcibly flows into sections of the lungs which are usually not used during normal breathing at lower altitudes.

• Due to this process, there is an increase in the depth of respiration

• Due to this process, there is increased depth (volume) of breath during the inhalation process.

Proper high-altitude acclimatization can help prevent altitude sickness, which can occur when individuals ascend too quickly without allowing their bodies to adjust.

• In other humans who can not acclimatize, there may be acute mountain sickness when they are above 5000 meters from sea level. They may feel motion sickness. But in normal conditions, there may be normal conditions that can be overcome if the body is given enough time to acclimatize.

• Understanding the principles of high-altitude acclimatization is crucial for mountaineers and travellers to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in high-altitude environments.

• The main reason behind all these incidents is less air pressure at high altitudes as well as the lower oxygen levels. In one of a thousand cases, it causes major disorders inside the body. This disorder is termed High Altitude Cerebral Edema, where fluid gets deposited in the brain and becomes a life-threatening condition. It required immediate medical attention.

• Athletes often focus on high-altitude acclimatization to enhance their performance, as training at elevated elevations helps to improve endurance and stamina.

• In acclimatization physiology, the body also adjusts its cardiovascular system to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues during environmental stress.

Deep Diving

Deep-sea divers also possess a case who undergo the acclimatization process when they get above from a certain depth. In this kind, another process takes place which is termed decompression. The dissolved inert gasses are usually spread out from the diver’s body by stopping them at several stops during the dive to the water surface.

If drivers continue to descend in that case, it leads to an increase in hydrostatic pressure and also an increase in ambient pressure. Due to this, the breathing gas which is usually present with the dive is supplied in the case of ambient pressure. When the pressure is removed, the dissolved gasses now begin to form bubbles inside the body, causing a lot of pain. It can also cause coma or even death.

Acclimatization vs Acclimation

Acclimatization and acclimation are terms often used interchangeably, but they refer to different processes. While both acclimatization vs. acclimation involve physiological changes, acclimatization is more commonly associated with natural environments, whereas acclimation can occur in controlled settings, such as laboratories. Understanding the differences between acclimatization vs. acclimation is crucial for researchers studying how organisms adapt to climate change and other environmental stressors.

Acclimatization vs Adaptation

The difference between adaptation and acclimatization is basic. Adaptation implies long-term genetic variations occurring over many generations so that a species evolves traits that allow improved survival in certain environments. Acclimatization, on the other hand, is a short-term physiological adjustment in an organism to respond to immediate changes in the environment. While adaptation permanently alters a population, acclimatization is often reversible and allows organisms to cope with temporary stressors.

Importance in Ecology and Human Physiology

Acclimatization helps scientists to understand how organisms adapt with short term changes in their environment such as temperature variations, altered rainfall, and reduced oxygen levels. Studying acclimatization helps ecologists to predict how species will survive in climate change. It helps them to identify vulnerable species that may not adjust quickly and plan their conservation.

Acclimatization is also crucial for mountaineers climbing to high altitudes because exposure to low oxygen levels can cause altitude sickness. Athletes use altitude training to increase their stamina and endurance. This kind of training increases oxygen carrying capacity in erythrocytes, helping them perform better.

Acclimatization NEET MCQs

Q1. What will happen to a well-growing herbaceous plant in the forest if it is transplanted outside the forest in a park?

1. It will grow normally.

2. It will grow well because it is planted in the same locality.

3. It may not survive because of a change in its microclimate.

4. It grows very well because the plant gets more sunlight.

Correct answer: 3) It may not survive because of a change in its microclimate.

Explanation:

Transplanting a thriving herbaceous species from woodland to a park entails several implications, contingent upon environmental variables such as climate and the plant's specialized adaptations.

Probable Outcomes:
1. Stress Response: The herb may exhibit stress indicators like wilting, leaf burn, or stunted growth while acclimating to the new surroundings.
2. Long-term Persistence: The plant's capacity to thrive in the altered environment is uncertain; it may either acclimatize successfully or fail to establish due to incompatible conditions.

The relocation of herbaceous flora from a forest ecosystem to a park setting can lead to altered light, water, and temperature regimes. This transition could be either beneficial or detrimental to the plant's survival, contingent on its adaptability.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) It may not survive because of a change in its microclimate.

Q2. Assertion: Keystone species are essential to the maintenance of a balanced ecosystem.

Reasoning: Keystone species have a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem and their removal can cause significant disruptions.

1. The assertion is incorrect, but the reasoning is correct

2. Both the assertion and reasoning are correct, but not related

3. The assertion is correct, but the reasoning is incorrect

4. Both the assertion and reasoning are correct and are related

Correct answer: 4) Both the assertion and reasoning are correct and are related

Explanation:

The assertion and reasoning are both true, and they are related because keystone species have a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem and their removal can cause cascading effects on other species and the ecosystem as a whole, highlighting their importance in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Hence, the correct option is 4) Both the assertion and reasoning are correct and are related.

Q3. _________large community of vegetation and the wildlife adapted to a specific climate.

1. Biome

2. Community

3. Population

4. None of the above

Correct answer: 1) Biome

Explanation:

A biome is a large community of plants and wildlife adapted to a particular climate. Each regional entity with a particular type of plant, animal, and climate is classified as a biome. Different climatic zones result in the occurrence of different species of plants and animals adapted to specific climatic zones.

Hence, the correct option is 1) Biome large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Ecology, Organisms and its Environment

• Net Primary Productivity

• Pyramid of Biomass

FAQs on Acclimatization

How is acclimatization different from adaptation?

• Acclimatization is a short-term, reversible adjustment in the body that an organism makes in response to environmental changes such as temperature or altitude. Adaptation is a long-term genetic change that occurs over generations through natural selection which enables a species to survive in a specific environment.

• While adaptation permanently alters a population, acclimatization often allows organisms to cope with temporary stressors.

What are common examples of acclimatization in humans?

Some of the common examples of acclimatization in humans include increased sweating in hot climates, shivering in cold conditions, and faster breathing at high altitudes. These changes help the body cope with environmental stress temporarily and are reversible when the conditions change.

What physiological changes occur during high altitude acclimatization?

At high altitudes, where oxygen levels are low, the body responds by increasing breathing rate, producing more red blood cells to carry oxygen, increasing heart rate, and enhancing capillary density in tissues. Over days to weeks, these changes improve oxygen delivery to cells.

What is High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)?

HACE is a severe, life-threatening condition caused by swelling of the brain due to fluid leakage at very high altitudes (above 3,000–4,000 m). Symptoms include headache, confusion, loss of coordination, and in extreme cases, coma. Immediate descent and medical treatment are essential for survival.