Final answer:
Antioxidants, such as vitamins and certain enzymes, increase physical and environmental resistance by protecting cells from oxidative damage and supporting the immune system. Psychological resilience and social support also play vital roles in coping with stress. These concepts are essential for biological resilience and underlie the success of genetically modified crops in harsh conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substance that helps increase resistance to adverse influences, both physical and environmental, is known as an antioxidant. Antioxidants play a critical role in protecting our cells from oxidative damage and supporting our immune system. Substances like vitamin C, vitamin E, and certain enzymes like chloroplastic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase are examples of antioxidants that can offer increased resistance to environmental stresses, such as pollutants and extreme weather conditions. In relation to plants, genetic modification to increase the expression of these antioxidants has shown promise in enhancing their resilience to harsh conditions, as evidenced by the study of Gupta et al. (1993), which demonstrated increased resistance to oxidative stress in transgenic plants that overexpress chloroplastic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase.
Our psychological resilience is also an important factor when it comes to coping with stress. Social support, beliefs in our abilities to manage stress, and perceptions of control are elements that can strengthen our resilience. Developing crops that can withstand environmental stresses is not only an application of biological resilience but also fundamental to agricultural success and food security.