Metabolic Responses to Environmental Stresses in Plants: Mechanisms and Adaptations

Abstract

This review explores the intricate mechanisms underlying plant metabolic responses to environmental stresses and the adaptive strategies plants employ to mitigate stress-induced damage. Environmental stresses trigger dynamic changes in cellular metabolism, leading to alterations in primary and secondary metabolic pathways. Key metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, are intricately modulated to cope with stress conditions. Metabolic profiling studies have provided valuable insights into the metabolic adjustments plants undergo in response to environmental cues. Furthermore, advances in omics technologies, such as metabolomics and fluxomics, have enabled comprehensive characterization of stress-responsive metabolic networks. This review highlights the multifaceted metabolic adaptations plants employ to maintain cellular homeostasis under stress, including osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and synthesis of stress-related metabolites. Additionally, it discusses the role of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in coordinating stress-responsive metabolic pathways.