Dictionary » A » Adaptation

Adaptation

Definition

noun, plural: adaptations

(ecology)

The adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology, and structure of an organism to become more suited to an environment.

(ophthalmology)

The ability of the eye to adjust to various light intensities by regulating the pupil of the quantity of light entering the eye.

(neurology)

The decline in the frequency of firing of a neuron, particularly of a receptor, to changed, constantly applied environmental conditions.

(dentistry)

(1) The proper fitting of a denture.

(2) The degree of proximity and interlocking of restorative material to a tooth preparation.

(3) The exact adjustment of bands to teeth.


Supplement

(ecology) According to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, the organisms adapt to their environment to become better fitted to survive and passing their genes on to the next generation.


Word origin: Latin: adaptare = to fit.

Related forms: adaptational (adjective), adapt (verb).
Related terms: general adaptation syndrome, reality adaptation, social adaptation, light adaptation, reproductive adaptation, space adaptation syndrome, dark adaptation, photopic adaptation.


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Re: A myth of biology debunked

... to be a meaningless term. See http://www.tdtone.org/evolution/TDTns.htm (the fifth thesis). It should be replaced by the notion of adaptation (as the reason for survival), which (ultimately) means that creatures have the inborn capacity to act upon and react to the environment. ...

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by philosopher
Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:59 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: A myth of biology debunked
Replies: 23
Views: 1775

Pitfalls of Evolutionary Psychology: Exaptation

... argue that the existence of intelligent life once it reaches a certain level allows for an "exaptation" phenomenon that combines the adaptations of multiple systems for new "exaptations" that are not directly related to survival. Intelligent being societies require stability ...

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by jeremyo
Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:12 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Pitfalls of Evolutionary Psychology: Exaptation
Replies: 3
Views: 133

Future Human Evolution

... people outbreed smart people Quite an interesting topic this one, presumably the dumber ones breed faster than the smarter ones(quite an amazing adaptation) but the dumber ones are dumber...=lower chance of survival, considering that as a 'dumb' one you dont need to be alive very long to have ...

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by futurezoologist
Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:13 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Future Human Evolution
Replies: 41
Views: 5601

Re: DNA replication, Cell division and Evolution

... drift until invertebrates became vertebrates and so forth. In a creationist context speciation and NS are understood in terms of of variations and adaptation to environments respectively. Research shows that traits and phenotypes that may be advantageous in one environment may be disadvantageous ...

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by AFJ
Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:36 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: DNA replication, Cell division and Evolution
Replies: 16
Views: 437

Biology is not a science

... of a higher rate of anabolism than catabolism. A growing organism increases in size in all of its parts, rather than simply accumulating matter. # Adaptation: The ability to change over a period of time in response to the environment. This ability is fundamental to the process of evolution and ...

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by gamila
Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:48 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Biology is not a science
Replies: 44
Views: 1358
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