Adaptation vs. Acclimation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
"Adaptation" refers to evolutionary changes in organisms over generations, while "acclimation" is a short-term physiological response to environmental changes.
Difference Between Adaptation and Acclimation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Adaptation is an evolutionary process where organisms develop traits over many generations, allowing them to thrive in specific environments. It's a result of natural selection, where advantageous traits become more common in populations over time. Acclimation, on the other hand, pertains to an individual organism's short-term physiological response to changes in its immediate environment, without genetic changes.
For instance, if a species of plant slowly migrates towards higher altitudes over many generations, developing thicker leaves to conserve water in cooler climates, that's an example of adaptation. If the same species of plant, when suddenly exposed to colder temperatures, temporarily slows its metabolic processes to survive but doesn't pass this trait to its offspring, that's acclimation.
It's crucial to understand that adaptation results in permanent genetic changes in a population, affecting future generations. These genetic changes arise due to mutations beneficial for survival. In contrast, acclimation is a reversible process that allows individual organisms to cope with temporary environmental changes, ensuring their immediate survival.
While both adaptation and acclimation have roles in an organism's survival, they function on different time scales and mechanisms. Adaptation revolves around evolutionary timeframes and genetic modifications, while acclimation operates within an organism's lifespan without altering its genetic code.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Evolutionary changes over generations
Short-term physiological response to environment
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Time Scale
Generations
Within an organism's lifespan
Mechanism
Genetic changes
Physiological adjustments
Reversibility
Irreversible
Reversible
Impact on Offspring
Traits passed to offspring
No direct impact on offspring
Compare with Definitions
Adaptation
Traits improving fitness in a specific environment.
The camel's hump is an adaptation for desert survival.
Acclimation
Short-term physiological adjustments to environmental changes.
After moving to a high-altitude city, she experienced acclimation to the reduced oxygen.
Adaptation
Alterations enhancing an organism's survival and reproduction.
The thick fur of polar bears is an adaptation to cold climates.
Acclimation
Non-genetic adjustments to new environmental conditions.
Plants might show acclimation by altering their photosynthetic rates in varying light conditions.
Adaptation
Evolutionary modifications in response to environmental challenges.
The long neck of a giraffe is an adaptation for reaching high foliage.
Acclimation
Immediate physiological changes for environmental tolerance.
During a heatwave, humans undergo acclimation by sweating more to regulate body temperature.
Adaptation
Genetic changes in response to environmental pressures.
Fish in dark caves lost their eyesight as an adaptation.
Acclimation
Temporary responses to environmental fluctuations.
Fish may undergo acclimation when introduced to different water temperatures.
Adaptation
In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness.
Acclimation
Reversible changes for immediate environmental coping.
The lizard's increased shade-seeking behavior during hot days is a form of acclimation.
Adaptation
The act or process of adapting.
Acclimation
The process of acclimating or of becoming acclimated.
Adaptation
The state of being adapted.
Acclimation
Acclimatization.
Adaptation
Something, such as a device or mechanism, that is changed or changes so as to become suitable to a new or special application or situation.
Acclimation
The process of becoming, or the state of being, acclimated, or habituated to a new climate, surroundings, or situation; especially, acclimatization.
Adaptation
A composition that has been recast into a new form
The play is an adaptation of a short novel.
Acclimation
(biology) The adaptation of an organism to its natural climatic environment.
Adaptation
Change or adjustment in structure or habits by which a species becomes better able to function in its environment, occurring through the course of evolution by means of natural selection.
Acclimation
The process of becoming, or the state of being, acclimated, or habituated to a new climate; acclimatization.
Adaptation
A structure or habit that results from this process.
Acclimation
Adaptation to a new climate (a new temperature or altitude or environment)
Adaptation
(Physiology) The responsive adjustment of a sense organ, such as the eye, to varying conditions, such as light intensity.
Adaptation
Change in behavior of a person or group in response to new or modified surroundings.
Adaptation
(uncountable) The process of adapting something or becoming adapted to a situation; adjustment, modification.
Adaptation
(countable) A change that is made or undergone to suit a condition or environment.
Adaptation
The process of change that an organism undergoes to be better suited to its environment.
Adaptation
An instance of an organism undergoing change, or the structure or behavior that is changed.
Adaptation
(uncountable) The process of adapting an artistic work from a different medium.
Adaptation
An artistic work that has been adapted from a different medium.
Adaptation
(sociology) The means by which social groups adapt to different social and physical environments.
Adaptation
The act or process of adapting, or fitting; or the state of being adapted or fitted; fitness.
Adaptation
The result of adapting; an adapted form.
Adaptation
A written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form;
The play is an adaptation of a short novel
Adaptation
The process of adapting to something (such as environmental conditions)
Adaptation
(physiology) the responsive adjustment of a sense organ (as the eye) to varying conditions (as of light)
Adaptation
Evolutionary changes in organisms for better survival.
Birds developed wings as an adaptation for flight.
Common Curiosities
Can acclimation be reversed?
Yes, acclimation is a reversible process.
What does adaptation mean?
Adaptation refers to evolutionary changes in organisms for better survival over generations.
How is acclimation defined?
Acclimation is the short-term physiological response of an organism to changes in its environment.
Do adaptations affect future generations?
Yes, beneficial adaptations are passed on to future generations.
Can a single organism undergo both adaptation and acclimation?
An organism can experience acclimation, but adaptations occur over multiple generations.
How does acclimation aid in survival?
Acclimation allows organisms to cope temporarily with sudden environmental changes, enhancing their immediate survival.
Why is adaptation important?
Adaptation is vital for the long-term survival and evolution of species in changing environments.
Is acclimation a genetic process?
No, acclimation is a physiological adjustment without genetic changes.
How quickly can acclimation occur?
Acclimation can occur within hours to weeks, depending on the organism and environmental change.
Is adaptation a permanent change?
Yes, adaptation results in permanent genetic changes in a population.
How do plants show acclimation?
Plants can adjust photosynthesis rates, leaf orientations, or root growth in response to environmental changes, showcasing acclimation.
Is adaptation always beneficial?
While adaptations improve survival in specific environments, they might not be advantageous if conditions change.
What's an example of an animal adaptation?
Kangaroos have powerful hind legs as an adaptation for jumping long distances in the Australian outback.
Are acclimated traits passed to offspring?
No, acclimated traits are short-term and aren't passed on genetically to the next generation.
What drives the process of adaptation?
Natural selection, where beneficial traits become more common, drives adaptation.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
