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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
11:01
Monitoring Plant Hormones During Stress Responses
Published on: June 15, 2009
Comments on the article 'Defining hormesis', by EJ Calabrese and LA Baldwin
1Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA. acupton@eohsi.rutgers.edu
Human & Experimental Toxicology
|July 10, 2002
Summary
Hormesis describes adaptive responses with biphasic dose-response relationships, regardless of outcomes. Further research is needed to determine if radiation-induced mutations and chromosome aberrations exhibit this biphasic nature.
Area of Science:
- Biology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Background:
- Biological responses vary widely and are often poorly understood.
- The concept of hormesis is proposed to define adaptive responses with biphasic dose-response relationships.
- This definition excludes consideration of whether these responses are beneficial or harmful.
Discussion:
- The term 'hormesis' may be best applied to adaptive responses showing a biphasic dose-response pattern.
- This biphasic pattern involves an initial adaptive response followed by a different response at higher doses.
- The Calabrese and Baldwin suggestion aims for a more precise definition of hormesis.
Key Insights:
- Hormesis is characterized by a biphasic dose-response relationship.
- The definition of hormesis should not depend on the beneficial or detrimental nature of the effect.
- Understanding biphasic responses is crucial for various biological fields.
Outlook:
- Investigating biphasic dose-response relationships in radiation-induced mutations is essential.
- Determining if chromosome aberrations also exhibit biphasic dose-response patterns requires further study.
- Resolving these questions will refine the understanding and application of hormesis in radiobiology and toxicology.
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