Heat stress acclimation

Zhao XX., Huang LK., Zhang XQ., Li Z., Peng Y. Effects of heat acclimation on photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activities, and gene expression in orchardgrass under heat stress. Molecules 2014 19 13564—13576. 

Weller, A.S., Linnane, D.M., Jonkman, A.G., Daanen, H.A.M., 2007. Quantification of the decay and re-induction of heat acclimation in dry-heat following 12 and 26 days without exposure to heat stress. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 102 (1), 57 6. 

Larkindale, J. and Huang, B. (2004) Changes of lipid composition and saturation level in leaves and roots for heat-stressed and heat acclimated creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). Environ. Exp. Bot. 51, 57-67. 

The incidence and severity of heat disorders can be prevented using a variety of techniques (Nunneley 1998 NIOSH 1986). Maximizing individual heat tolerance is key to preventing heat stress. As mentioned previously, individual disposition and tolerance to heat depend on a variety of factors. Factors affecting adaptation are body dimensions, gender, ethnicity, age, physical fitness, heat acclimation, obesity, medical conditions, and other stresses. Medical screening can identify individuals who are unable to tolerate heat. 

Heat Acclimation Heat acclimation is a series of physiological and psychological adjustments that occur in an individual during the first week of exposure to a hot environment. Following the acclimation period, the individual is less Ukely to suffer from heat stress. A properly designed and apphed acclimation program decreases the risk of heat-related disorders and illnesses. 

The roles of ABA in seed development and in response to drought, salt and cold stress are the most extensively studied effects of the hormone. However, ABA is also involved in other processes. ABA deficient mutants of potato and tomato show reduced response to wounding. Application of ABA can reverse the phenotype demonstrating the direct relationship between ABA and wound response [34]. Treatment of bromegrass cell cultures with ABA induces increased heat tolerance. At least four days of ABA treatment is needed to achieve tolerance. This effect of ABA is thus a slow response like the cold acclimation and induction of desiccation tolerance in C. plantagineum. 

Proteins are also essential membrane components. New proteins (heat-shock proteins, cold acclimation proteins (17)) are synthesized in response to thermal stresses. Important changes in plant cell energy-charges, metabolic pathways, ion transports, etc... are also occurring. Lipid biochemists just bring some pieces of information to the general puzzle of plant acclimation to environmental stresses. 

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