- Acclimatization
Acclimatization is the process of an organism adjusting to chronic change in its environment, often involving temperature, moisture, food, often relating to seasonal
climate changes. (In laboratory conditions, this process is controlled to one variable change only and is termed "Acclimation"). Acclimatization usually occurs in a short time, and within one organism's lifetime (compareadaptation ). This may be a discrete occurrence or may instead represent part of a periodic cycle, such as a mammal shedding heavy winterfur in favor of a lighter summer coat. Where acclimatization occurs naturally, some authors have usedacclimation to describe the process of an organism being forced to adjust to changes in their environment by artificial means, such as in a laboratory setting. [Schmidt-Nielsen, Knut. Animal Physiology: adaptation and environment. 4th Ed. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1990.]Plants
Many plants, such as
maple tree s, irises, and tomatoes, can survive freezing temperatures if the temperature gradually drops lower and lower each night over a period of days or weeks. The same drop might kill them if it occurred suddenly. This process is called "hardening" and involves several changes, such as a decrease in the water content and an increase in the sugar content of the plant, lowering thefreezing point ofsap .Animals
Animals acclimate in many ways.
Sheep grow very thickwool in cold, damp climates.Fish are able to adjust only gradually to changes in water temperature and quality. Tropical fish sold atpet store s are often kept inacclimation bags until this process is complete.Humans
When humans move from a
cool ortemperate environment to a hot, drydesert environment or vice versa, they should spend up to seven days acclimatizing to the change in their environment. This lets the body make internal adjustments ("seehomeostasis ") to compensate for the change in environment conditions. If the acclimatization process is ignored, then the person is at higher risk for heat related injuries (heat stroke ,heat cramp ,pneumonia ).Acclimatization to
high altitude continues for months or even years after initial ascent, and ultimately enables humans to survive in an environment that, without acclimatization, would kill them. Humans who migrate permanently to a higher altitude naturally acclimatize to their new environment by developing an increase in the number ofred blood cells to increase theoxygen carrying capacity of theblood , in order to compensate for lower levels ofoxygen in theair . [cite web | author=Kenneth Baillie and Alistair Simpson | title=Altitude oxygen calculator | url=http://www.altitude.org/calculators/oxygencalculator/oxygencalculator.htm | publisher=Apex (Altitude Physiology EXpeditions) | accessdate=2006-08-10 - Altitude physiology model]ee also
*
Altitude sickness
*Vostok Station
*Acclimatisation society References
*
World Book encyclopedia 1989
*US Army - Heat Acclimation Guide [http://www.usariem.army.mil/download/heatacclimatizationguide.pdf]Footnotes
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