Adaptations are inherited traits that help an organism survive and reproduce, which shape its ecological niche. Through natural selection, those with advantageous adaptations are more likely to pass these traits on, impacting the genetic composition of populations over time. The habitat, with its abiotic factors, also profoundly affects an organism's adaptations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inherited traits that increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction are known as adaptations. These adaptations play a critical role in determining an organism's niche, which is the role the organism plays in its ecosystem, including its habitat and interactions with other species. Every animal and plant has traits that are crucial for its survival, such as obtaining food, building shelters, or attracting mates, and these are all influenced by the organism's adaptations.
Through the process of natural selection, individuals with favorable heritable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, this can lead to changes in the genetic makeup of a population, aligning the population more closely with its environment. Examples of adaptations include the webbed feet of a platypus for swimming, the thick fur of a snow leopard for warmth, and the impressive speed of a cheetah for hunting prey.
The concept of habitat is also essential, as it encompasses the physical environment in which a species lives and the abiotic factors such as temperature and rainfall that affect its survival. Therefore, the concept of adaptation is a key aspect in understanding how a species thrives within its specific ecological niche.