Morphological plasticity

Morphological plasticity and cellular acclimation When plants are exposed to stress as a consequence of resource depletion or climatic fluctuation, many different responses are possible depending upon the species and the nature and severity of the stress. However, as Bradshaw (1965) recognised, stress responses can be classified into two basic types, one of which is morphological and the other physiological. One of the major uses of plant strategy theory is to provide a basis for predicting which of the two mechanisms is likely to be operative in particular species, populations and situations. 

Position 5 in Fig. lb describes the brief explosive development of biomass in an ephemeral species capable of exploiting a productive but temporary habitat. Here again morphological plasticity would be expected to predominate. In the vegetative phase, plasticity in root and shoot morphology will be an integral part of the mechanism of resource capture. 

Crick, J.C. Grime, J.P. (1987). Morphological plasticity and mineral nutrient capture in two herbaceous species of contrasted ecology. New Phytologist, 107, 403-14. 

PUpel Y, Segal M (2004) Activation of PKC induces rapid morphological plasticity in dendrites of hippocampal neurons via Rac and Rho-dependent mechanisms. Eur J Neurosci 19 3151-3164... 

Prevot V, Croix D, Bouret S, Dutoit S, Tramu G, et al. 1999. Definitive evidence for the existence of morphological plasticity in the external zone of the median eminence during the rat estrous cycle Implication of neuro-glio-endothelial interactions in gonadotropin-releasing hormone release. Neuroscience 94 809-819. 

Hwang, I Liu, H., 2002. Influence of organophilic clay on the morphology, plasticizer-maintaining ability, dimensional stability, and electrochemical properties of gel polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanocomposite electrolytes. Macromolecules 35,7314-7319. 

Lewis, S.M., J.N. Norris R.B. Searles. 1987. The regulation of morphological plasticity in tropical reef algae by herbivory. Ecology 68 636-641. 

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