Final answer:
The white fur of polar bears is an adaptation resulting from natural selection, allowing them to blend in with their snowy environment for better hunting and reduced predator visibility, a phenomenon also seen in other Arctic species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolutionary process that explains why polar bears are white to camouflage themselves against a snowy background is known as natural selection. In the harsh conditions of the Arctic ecosystem, polar bears have adapted to have white fur, which provides camouflage in their environment, allowing them to hunt more efficiently and avoid detection by predators. This coloration is an example of an adaptation that has evolved due to the survival advantage it provides in the Arctic biome. Similar adaptations are seen in other Arctic animals, like the arctic fox and ptarmigan, which have white winter coats and plumage respectively to blend in with their snowy surroundings. This camouflage reduces their visibility to predators, demonstrating a convergent evolution of form due to similar selective pressures. Additionally, temperature-sensitive proteins play a role in the seasonal color changes of some Arctic species, indicating a genetic and biochemical basis for this adaptive trait.