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Chapter 5: Problem 11

Contrast developmental plasticity and acclimation.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The main difference between developmental plasticity and acclimation when comparing their responses to environmental changes is their timeframe and nature of change. Developmental plasticity occurs during the early life stages, involves modifications to an organism's development resulting in phenotypical changes, and these changes are often long-lasting or permanent. In contrast, acclimation happens over a relatively short period, involves adjustments made to an organism's physiological processes, and the changes are typically reversible once the organism is no longer exposed to the changing environment.

Step by step solution

01

Define Developmental Plasticity

Developmental plasticity is the ability of an organism to modify its developmental trajectory in response to changes in environmental conditions experienced during its early life stages. This can lead to phenotypic variations that help the organism adapt to its environment more effectively. For example, certain plants may grow taller in response to increased competition for sunlight, while animals may develop thicker fur in cold climates.
02

Define Acclimation

Acclimation refers to an organism's ability to adjust its physiological processes in response to changes in environmental conditions, typically over a short period. This allows the organism to maintain optimal performance and increase its chances of survival in a changing environment. For example, a human may start sweating when exposed to high temperatures to help regulate their body temperature.
03

Compare: Types of Environmental Responses

Both developmental plasticity and acclimation represent ways in which organisms can respond to environmental changes. Developmental plasticity involves modifications to an organism's development resulting in phenotypical changes, while acclimation refers to adjustments made to an organism's physiological processes.
04

Contrast: Timeframe

One of the most significant differences between developmental plasticity and acclimation is the timeframe in which these responses occur. Developmental plasticity happens during the early life stages of an organism, and the changes are often long-lasting or permanent. On the other hand, acclimation occurs over a relatively short period, and the adjustments made are typically reversible once the organism is no longer exposed to the changing environment.
05

Contrast: Possible Effects on Future Generations

Another key difference between developmental plasticity and acclimation is their potential impact on future generations. Phenotypic variations resulting from developmental plasticity can sometimes be passed on to subsequent generations, providing an avenue for evolutionary adaptation. Acclimation, however, is a short-term physiological response and does not directly affect an organism's genetic material or offspring.
06

Contrast: Examples

To contrast developmental plasticity and acclimation via examples: In the case of a plant growing taller to compete for sunlight, this is an example of developmental plasticity since it reflects changes in the plant's development in response to its environment. In contrast, a human sweating to dissipate heat is an example of acclimation, as it is a physiological adjustment made to cope with a change in environmental conditions.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is phenotypic plasticity?

What is the relationship between an individual's genotype and a phenotype?

Why are small populations more prone to variations in allele frequency from generation to generation as a result of genetic drift than are large populations?

David Reznick, an ecologist at the University of California at Riverside, studied the process of natural selection in populations of guppies (small freshwater fish) on the island of Trinidad. Reznick found that populations at lower elevations face the assault of predatory fish, whereas the populations at higher elevations live in peace because few predators can move upstream past the waterfalls. The average size of individuals in the higher-elevation waters is larger than the average size of guppies in the lower-elevation populations. Reznick hypothesized that the smaller size of individuals in the lower-elevation populations was a result of increased rates of predation on larger individuals; in effect, predation was selecting for smaller individuals in the population. To test this hypothesis, Reznick moved individuals from the lower elevations to unoccupied pools upstream, where predation was not a factor. Eleven years in these conditions produced a population of individuals that were on average larger than the individuals of the downstream populations. Is the study by Reznick an example of natural selection (does it meet the necessary conditions)? If so, what type of selection does it represent (directional, stabilizing, or disruptive)? Can you think of any alternative hypotheses to explain why the average size of individuals may have shifted through time as a result of moving the population to the upstream (higher-elevation) environment?

If the phenotype trait of an \(A a\) heterozygous individual is the same as that of an \(A A\) homozygous individual, which allele is recessive?
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