植物对气候变化的遗传反应_英语科普

植物对气候变化的遗传反应

文章来源：未知文章作者：enread 发布时间：2015-08-27 06:13 字体： [大中小]　进入论坛

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A study by the University of Liverpool has found that the genetic¹ diversity of wild plant species could be altered rapidly by anthropogenic climate change. Scientists studied the genetic responses of different wild plant species, located in a natural grassland² ecosystem³ near Buxton, to a variety of simulated climate change treatments--including drought, watering, and warming--over a 15-year period.

Analysis of DNA⁴ markers in the plants revealed that the climate change treatments had altered the genetic composition of the plant populations. The results also indicated a process of evolutionary⁵ change in one of the study species, suggesting that genetic diversity may be able to buffer⁶ plants against the harmful effects of climate change, allowing an "evolutionary rescue"

Dr Raj Whitlock, from the University's Institute of Integrative Biology, said:

"Climate change is expected to present a significant challenge to the persistence⁷ of many populations of wild plant species.

"Our understanding of the potential for such responses to climate change is still limited, and there have been very few experimental tests carried out within intact ecosystems⁸.

"We found that experimental climate change treatments can modify the genetic structure of plant populations within 15 years, which is very fast, in evolutionary terms.

"Evolutionary flexibility⁹ within the plant populations at Buxton may help to explain why the grassland there has proven resistant¹⁰ to simulated environmental change."

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1 genetic
adj.遗传的，遗传学的
参考例句：
It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。 Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

2 grassland
n.牧场，草地，草原
参考例句：
There is a reach of grassland in the distance.远处是连绵一片的草原。 The snowstorm swept the vast expanse of grassland.暴风雪袭击了辽阔的草原。

3 ecosystem
n.生态系统
参考例句：
This destroyed the ecosystem of the island.这样破坏了岛上的生态系统。 We all have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.维持生态系统的完整是我们共同的利益。

4 DNA
(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸
参考例句：
DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。 Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

5 evolutionary
adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的
参考例句：
Life has its own evolutionary process.生命有其自身的进化过程。 These are fascinating questions to be resolved by the evolutionary studies of plants.这些十分吸引人的问题将在研究植物进化过程中得以解决。

6 buffer
n.起缓冲作用的人(或物)，缓冲器；vt.缓冲
参考例句：
A little money can be a useful buffer in time of need.在急需时，很少一点钱就能解燃眉之急。 Romantic love will buffer you against life's hardships.浪漫的爱会减轻生活的艰辛。

7 persistence
n.坚持，持续，存留
参考例句：
The persistence of a cough in his daughter puzzled him.他女儿持续的咳嗽把他难住了。 He achieved success through dogged persistence.他靠着坚持不懈取得了成功。

8 ecosystems
n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )
参考例句：
There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。来自《简明英汉词典》 Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样，从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。来自辞典例句

9 flexibility
n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性
参考例句：
Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。 The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

10 resistant
adj.(to)抵抗的，有抵抗力的
参考例句：
Many pests are resistant to the insecticide.许多害虫对这种杀虫剂有抵抗力。 They imposed their government by force on the resistant population.他们以武力把自己的统治强加在持反抗态度的人民头上。