Dormancy

Dormancy: A state of reduced physiological activity in an organism.Dormancy is a strategy that helps plants and animals survive periods of adverse conditions, such as cold weather or drought. By dormancy, an organism can reduce its metabolic rate, conserve energy and water, and avoid damage from the environment.Dormancy is characterized by a number of changes in an organism’s physiology, including a decrease in heart rate, respiration, and body temperature. These changes allow the organism to enter a state of reduced activity or even complete stasis.