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.
- 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.
