Plasticity

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This Source

Plasticity generally means ability to permanently change or deform. (It differs from "elasticity", which refers to ability to change temporarily and revert back to original form.)

More specific meanings include:

in the sciences:

• Plasticity (physics): In physics and engineering, plasticity is the propensity of a material to undergo permanent deformation under load. In civil engineering, plasticity of a soil is quantitatively determined by Atterberg Limits testing.
• Plasticity (humans): Plasticity refers to the adaptive and regenerative nature of human beings.
• Phenotypic plasticity: Describes the degree to which an organism's phenotype is determined by its genotype.
• Neuroplasticity: Entire brain structures can change to better cope with the environment. Specifically, when an area of the brain is damaged and non-functional, another area may take over some of the function. This is known as neuroplasticity.
• Synaptic plasticity: In neuroscience, plasticity is a property of a neuron or synapse to change its internal parameters in response to its history.

• Plasticity (tissues): In body tissues, plasticity refers to the ability of differentiated cells to undergo transdifferentiation.
• Plasticity (Cabaret Voltaire album)

in art

The plastic arts are those, such as clay sculpture, in which material is formed or deformed into a new, permanent shape.

'''

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia contributors (Disclaimer)
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Tuesday February 26, 2008 at 14:03:07 PST (GMT -0800)
View this article at Wikipedia.org - Edit this article at Wikipedia.org - Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation