Biochemical adaptation to the environment

79Citations
Citations of this article
78Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

SYNOPSIS. Biochemical adaptation to environmental parameters such as temperature appears to involve two distinct types of changes in the organism's chemistry. On the one hand, the quantities of certain molecular species present in the cells may change. Alternatively, the actual types of molecules present may vary. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) acclimated to warm and cold temperatures exhibit a striking example of this latter type of adaptation. For all enzymes we have examined in this species, distinct "warm" and "cold" isozymes are present. The isozymes found in warmacclimated (18°C) trout function well only at temperatures above 10-12°C. The isozymes present in cold-acclimated (4°C) trout function optimally at 2-5°C, temperatures this species normally encounters in winter. These data, plus information on comparable changes in membrane lipids, lead us to propose that adult poikilotherms may undergo a considerable degree of "biochemical restructuring" on a seasonal basis. The factors which control this "restructuring," and the rates at which the process occurs at high and low temperatures, are topics for future investigation. © 1971 by the American Society of Zoologists.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Somero, G. N., & Hochachka, P. W. (1971). Biochemical adaptation to the environment. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 11(1), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/11.1.159

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free