Definitions
- Referring to a period of suspended development in an organism during unfavorable environmental conditions. - Describing a state of arrested growth or development in insects, mammals, and plants. - Talking about a temporary pause in the life cycle of an organism due to environmental cues.
- Describing a state of inactivity or reduced metabolic activity in plants and animals. - Referring to a period of suspended growth or development in organisms due to unfavorable environmental conditions. - Talking about a temporary cessation of activity or growth in an organism.
List of Similarities
- 1Both refer to a state of suspended growth or development in organisms.
- 2Both are temporary pauses in the life cycle of an organism.
- 3Both are triggered by environmental cues such as temperature, light, and moisture.
- 4Both are survival mechanisms that allow organisms to conserve energy and resources.
- 5Both can be found in a wide range of organisms, including plants, insects, and mammals.
What is the difference?
- 1Definition: Diapause specifically refers to a period of suspended development in response to environmental cues, while dormancy is a broader term that encompasses various states of inactivity or reduced metabolic activity.
- 2Duration: Diapause is typically shorter than dormancy, lasting only as long as the unfavorable conditions persist, while dormancy can last for extended periods of time.
- 3Trigger: Diapause is triggered by specific environmental cues such as temperature, light, and moisture, while dormancy can be triggered by a wider range of environmental factors such as drought, cold, and lack of nutrients.
- 4Organisms: Diapause is more commonly associated with insects, while dormancy is more commonly associated with plants and animals.
- 5Purpose: Diapause is primarily a survival mechanism to help organisms cope with unfavorable environmental conditions, while dormancy can also serve other purposes such as conserving energy and avoiding predation.
Remember this!
Diapause and dormancy are both terms used to describe a temporary pause in the life cycle of an organism due to unfavorable environmental conditions. However, diapause is a more specific term that refers to a period of suspended development triggered by specific environmental cues, while dormancy is a broader term that encompasses various states of inactivity or reduced metabolic activity triggered by a wider range of environmental factors.
