CONFORMER Meaning and
Definition
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A conformer is an individual or organism that exhibits the characteristic of adapting or adjusting its physical or physiological attributes to match the conditions of its environment. This term is particularly employed in the field of biology, where it refers to an organism that does not regulate its internal conditions, often referred to as its homeostasis, in response to changes in the external environment. Instead, a conformer's bodily functions and processes are influenced and dictated by the prevailing environmental factors.
Conformers are reliant on the existing conditions and tend to undergo fluctuations in their bodily functions as the environment changes. Consequently, their body temperature, metabolic rate, respiration, and other physiological functions align with the ambient temperature, oxygen levels, and other environmental factors surrounding them. In other words, they passively adapt to the changes occurring around them without actively maintaining homeostasis.
The concept of conformers is often contrasted with that of regulators, which are organisms that possess internal mechanisms to maintain a relatively constant internal environment despite the external conditions. By contrast, conformers exhibit a more variable internal physiology as they closely mirror the fluctuations in their surroundings.
Overall, conformers are organisms that, rather than actively controlling their internal environment, adjust and adapt their bodily functions to coincide with the environmental factors they encounter, showcasing an inherent plasticity in their physiological responses.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CONFORMER
Etymology of CONFORMER
The word conformer comes from the combination of two Latin roots: con- meaning together or with, and formare meaning to shape or to form. The combination of these roots gives the word its meaning of something that conforms or something that takes on a particular shape or form.
Similar spelling words for CONFORMER
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