developmental plasticity

Developmental plasticity refers to the ability of an organism to adapt its growth and development in response to environmental changes. This means that during key stages of development, such as childhood or early life, factors like nutrition, experiences, and social interactions can influence how an organism develops physically and mentally. This adaptability allows individuals to optimize their development for their specific surroundings, leading to variations in traits and behaviors even among genetically similar organisms. Essentially, it highlights the dynamic relationship between genes and the environment in shaping an individual’s characteristics.