Final answer:
Adaptation in biology refers to how an organism or species changes to better suit its environment, encompassing genetic, physiological, developmental, and behavioral aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biology, the term adaptation refers to the process through which an organism or species undergoes change to become better suited to its environment. There are various levels of adaptation, including physiological changes, genetic or evolutionary changes, and cultural changes. Specifically, the four levels of adaptation can refer to:
- Genetic adaptation, where changes occur at the DNA level over generations to better fit the environment.
- Physiological adaptation, where an organism makes internal physical changes in response to environmental stimuli.
- Developmental adaptation, where an organism adjusts during its growth phase in response to the conditions it encounters.
- Behavioral adaptation, where changes in an organism's behavior improve its survival chances.
Examples include the development of thicker fur in cold climates (physiological), the evolution of longer necks in giraffes for reaching high foliage (genetic), learning to build shelters (behavioral), and adopting agricultural practices (cultural).