Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Adaptations are inherited characteristics that increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
Related terms
Evolutionary Advantage: A trait that increases an organism's chances of survival or reproduction compared with other members of its species without that trait.
Morphological Adaptation: Physical changes evolved over time that help an organism survive in its environment such as camouflage or mimicry.
Behavioral Adaptation: Changes in behavior evolved over time that help an organism survive such as migration or hibernation.