A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment is called

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment is called

• A. Variation
• B. Evolution
• C. Fossil
• D. Adaptation

Answer: (D)

An adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. This means the trait increases fitness in that specific setting, so individuals with the trait are more likely to survive and pass on their genes. Over time, natural selection can raise how common such advantageous traits are in the population. Think of features like camouflage that helps an animal hide from predators, or body parts and behaviors that help obtain food more efficiently. The other terms refer to different ideas: variation is the differences among individuals in a population, evolution is the long-term change in traits across generations, and a fossil is preserved evidence of a once-living organism.

An adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. This means the trait increases fitness in that specific setting, so individuals with the trait are more likely to survive and pass on their genes. Over time, natural selection can raise how common such advantageous traits are in the population. Think of features like camouflage that helps an animal hide from predators, or body parts and behaviors that help obtain food more efficiently. The other terms refer to different ideas: variation is the differences among individuals in a population, evolution is the long-term change in traits across generations, and a fossil is preserved evidence of a once-living organism.