Adaptability

Technological System

Adaptability is to be understood here as the ability of a system (e.g. a computer system) to adapt itself efficiently and fast to changed circumstances. An adaptive system is therefore an open system that is able to fit its behaviour according to changes in its environment or in parts of the system itself. That is why a requirement to recognise the demand for change without any other factors involved can be expressed.^[5][6]

Biological system (Mammals)

In a biological context, adaptability refers to the capacity of an organism to adapt or change to an environment. Adaptability can be measured behaviorally and physiologically, or evolutionary,^{[citation needed]} illustrating changes to thriving in an environment. Physiologically, animals can adjust to their immediate environment by changing their metabolism and temperature with an increase in altitude.^[7] Animals can also display adaptability through evolution with gene frequencies that result in particular advantages in their environment. Polar bears have thick fur and a layer of fat to survive in colder environments and camels conserve water and adapt to extreme heat conditions. Animals like the peppered moth have adapted to their environment by changing color from light to dark. Mammals have evolutionary adapted to their environment through lactation. Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection explains that animals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to reproduce and survive. These traits can be passed on genetically and the evolutionary changes can appear in populations over time.^{[citation needed]}

Mammals, specifically humans, can adapt to immediate situations physiologically through adjustments in heart-rate, breathing, or metabolic activities. For instance, humans can tolerate heat by sweating and modulating their metabolism. In addition, lower oxygen levels are prevalent at higher altitudes, so the human body increases production of red blood cells, which leads to an increase of blood viscosity and oxygen delivery to tissues.^[2] Adaptability is specifically seen in humans as the human brain adapts to situations using neuroplasticity, especially after injury.^[3] The process of neuroplasticity is critical for learning new skills and adapting to new environments, playing a key role in motor learning and recovery. For example, after a stroke, some areas of the brain can lose their function, but neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt to this new environment and other areas can take over.

Neuroplasticity encompasses both synaptic and structural plasticity. Adaptation in the brain is done through synaptic plasticity where the connections between neurons can be changed depending on activity. This done through modulating long-term potentiation, which is critical in learning and memory and increasing synaptic strength, and long-term depression, which decreases synaptic strength. Neurotransmitter release at activated synapses strengthens when a skill is frequently practiced to strengthen the neural circuit involved. For instance, playing an instrument or practicing a technique in sports constantly can strengthen the connections in the synapses involved in that specific task. Over time, neural efficiency increases and the individual can perform the task better. This exemplifies motor learning and adaptation. Also, everyday activities, like switching between tasks, involves synaptic plasticity to adapt thinking. In mammals, like rodents, synaptic plasticity plays an important role in navigating mazes and adapting to new environments. The rat is able to remember the route through trial and error due to synaptic plasticity. Long-term potentiation in the hippocampal regions, involved in spatial memory, on rats could enhance or improve memory, leading to better recall.^[4][5] Better recall improves adaptability to their new environment.

Additionally, the brain forms new neuronal connections and pathways to improve learning during environmental changes or injury through structural plasticity. This reflects processing and how neural codes encode information, enabling humans to learn new skills. Structural plasticity is seen when forming new synapses, synaptogenesis, or remodeling dendrites. For example, after a stroke, or a brain injury, new synapses can form and dendrites and branch off to restore language and motor abilities.^[6] This plays a large role in motor learning and adaptation as these mechanisms help to restore neural function and emphasize adaptability in the human body.

Adaptability in mammals, specifically regarding neuroplasticity, is prevalent in every-day life as it plays a key role in memory. Adaptation to an environment through neuroplasticity improves cognitive thinking, language, and decision making. For instance, taxi drivers who use their memory to navigate their environment, have shown differences in their hippocampus due to structural plasticity - enhancing certain abilities that improve their navigation.^[8] Other mammals use neuroplasticity in navigation as well. Primates use cognitive mapping to remember locations including that of food, danger, and their homes.^[9]