Mechanisms of short-term and long-term adaptation

Abstract

The lecture addresses general ideas about adaptation based on classic studies by H. Selye, F.Z. Meerson, and N.A. Agadzhanyan and features of the adaptive response in a developing body. Mobilization of the functional reserve is considered as a mechanism of short-term adaptation. Epigenetic regulation is presented as one of mechanisms for long-term adaptation, which allows selecting and implementing a gene expression program consistent with the stage of ontogenetic development or the environment. Another mechanism of long-term adaptation is influence on the genome. The lecture provides examples of adaptation to physicochemical and climatic geographical stress factors. Mechanisms of the adaptive response to factors of the educational environment in children are analyzed separately.