Cell Adaptation to Environmental Stress

Cells adapt to changes in their environment.

Adaptations are reversible changes in the size, number, phenotype, metabolic activity, or functions of cells.

These physiological adaptations usually represent responses of cells to normal stimulation by hormones or endogenous chemical substances as in the enlargement of the breast and induction of lactation by pregnancy.

They provide the cells with the ability to survive in their environment and perhaps escape injury.