Question

The physiological adjustment of an organism to a new environmental condition is known as

• A. Selection
• B. Introduction
• C. Adaptation
• D. Acclimatization

Answer 1

The correct option is D Acclimatization

Adaptation and acclimatization are two terms commonly used to describe the adjustment done by either a plant or an animal when the environmental conditions deviate from the normal. Adaptation is centered on an organism's ability to change its physical and chemical makeup to adjust to its habitat and it takes a long time to achieve as it is part of the evolutionary process and usually affects the whole group to which it belongs. One good example of adaptation is the camel and its ability to survive for long period of time in the desert with very little water.
Acclimatization is a process that an organism undergoes when transferred to a different habitat or when an organism adjusts to a gradual change in its environment. It doesn’t take long and it doesn’t affect the body composition of the entire species. Adjustment is made by modifying physical reactions to environmental changes, like shivering when exposed to cold weather.