Environmental Genomics
Origins of biodiversity
When faced with an environmental challenge, for example changes in salinity or temperature, organisms can respond in several different ways.
-
They can evolve through the spread of new variants of genes, so that they are better able to cope with the challenge. This process is called adaptation through natural selection.
-
Some organisms can change their physiology, behaviour or life cycle to meet the challenge, but without changing their genes. This is called
acclimation or plasticity. -
If an organism is unable to do either, and the challenge is severe enough, the organism may become locally extinct.
As the world is faced with increasing environmental change, including global warming, pollution and habitat destruction, we need to know more about the molecular basis of adaptation, and the relationship between adaptation and acclimation.
Details are available from the pages below: