What is an adaptation?

What is an adaptation?

• A. An adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.
• B. A trait that makes an organism grow larger.
• C. A short-term change in behavior.
• D. A genetic mutation that always harms the organism

Answer: (A)

Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. This can be a physical feature, like a polar bear’s thick fur that helps keep it warm, or a behavior, like a bird migrating to find food in a different season. Adaptations fit the surroundings so the organism is better at finding food, avoiding danger, or attracting mates, which helps it live longer and produce offspring that inherit the trait. It isn’t about growing larger, isn’t just a short-term change, and isn’t a mutation that always harms. Some mutations can be beneficial, but an adaptation is specifically a trait that improves survival and reproduction in a given environment.

Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. This can be a physical feature, like a polar bear’s thick fur that helps keep it warm, or a behavior, like a bird migrating to find food in a different season. Adaptations fit the surroundings so the organism is better at finding food, avoiding danger, or attracting mates, which helps it live longer and produce offspring that inherit the trait. It isn’t about growing larger, isn’t just a short-term change, and isn’t a mutation that always harms. Some mutations can be beneficial, but an adaptation is specifically a trait that improves survival and reproduction in a given environment.