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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Questions about phenotypic plasticity

Oh and a follow up question is, how can you possibly know if a change is due to phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation?

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by tekla
Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:42 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Questions about phenotypic plasticity
Replies: 3
Views: 728

Questions about phenotypic plasticity

... I was thinking that if a certain phenotypic trait that has become more common due to climate change, that would also lead to a new genetic adaptation since the other traits that has less fitness would die off, but than someone told me that phenotypic traits can never lead to new evolutionary ...

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by tekla
Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:38 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Questions about phenotypic plasticity
Replies: 3
Views: 728

Re: Evolution is not Darwinian

... faces a new major challenge and, at the same time, the prospect of a new conceptual breakthrough"....."By contrast, the insistence on adaptation being the primary mode of evolution that is apparent in the Origin, but especially in the Modern Synthesis, became deeply suspicious if not ...

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by Forests
Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:08 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Evolution is not Darwinian
Replies: 4
Views: 1241

Book recommendation for exam

... mechanism; coral reefs and their formation; metagenesis; general features and life history of Obelia and Aurelia. 6. Platyhelminthes : Parasitic adaptation; general features and life history of Fasciola and Taenia and their relation to man. 7. Nemathelminthes : General features, life history ...

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by bertstare
Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:19 pm
 
Forum: Zoology Discussion
Topic: Book recommendation for exam
Replies: 3
Views: 1041

Re:

... that we know and then we SILENCE them. This creates new species that seem to be exactly like what we are used to, but gives them an advantage in adaptation to new and largely unknown environment.

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by Cat
Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:59 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Are evolution and creationism mutually exclusive???
Replies: 23
Views: 3232
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