Correct Option
The correct option isShort-term physiological adjustments by an organism to environmental changes.
Explanation
Acclimatisation is a biological process involving physiological, anatomical, or morphological adjustments within a single organism. It occurs in response to changes in environmental factors such as temperature, altitude, or humidity, allowing the organism to maintain homeostasis and performance under new conditions.
Option Analysis
- The genetic adaptation of a species to a habitat over generations. is incorrect: The genetic adaptation of a species to a habitat over generations refers to evolutionary adaptation. This is a permanent, heritable change in the genetic makeup of a population, whereas acclimatisation is a temporary, non-heritable adjustment within an individual's lifespan.
- The excretion of metabolic wastes to maintain homeostasis. is incorrect: The excretion of metabolic wastes is a specific physiological function aimed at maintaining internal chemical balance (homeostasis). While it is part of an organism's physiology, it does not define the adaptive process of acclimatisation to external environmental shifts.
- Short-term physiological adjustments by an organism to environmental changes. is correct: Acclimatisation refers to short-term physiological adjustments made by an organism to cope with environmental stress. A classic example is altitude sickness, where the human body compensates for low oxygen levels by increasing breathing rate and red blood cell production over a few days.
- The migration of an organism to a more favourable habitat. is incorrect: The movement of an organism to a more favourable habitat is known as migration. This is a behavioral response to avoid stressful conditions, rather than a physiological adjustment to endure them.
Key Takeaway: Acclimatisation is a temporary, phenotypic response by an individual to environmental change, distinct from adaptation, which is a permanent, genotypic change in a population over evolutionary time.