Final answer:
An adaptation in biology is a heritable trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its specific environment. It is the outcome of evolution through natural selection, which favors beneficial genetic variations. Adaptations vary widely among organisms and are essential for their long-term survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biology, an adaptation is a heritable trait or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce within its specific environment. This could be a genetically based trait that has evolved through the process of natural selection, which favors variations that provide an advantage to the organism in its particular surroundings. An example of such an adaptation might be the webbed feet of a platypus, which aid in swimming, or the thick fur of a snow leopard, which is an adaptation for living in cold climates.
Adaptations are a result of evolution by natural selection, which works on every lineage of reproducing organisms. Environmental changes can cause natural selection to favor different traits, leading to a population whose characteristics better match their environment over time. For instance, genetic adaptation in finches has led to variations in beak shapes, allowing them to better access different food sources.
Genetic adaptation is a transgenerational process where the main influence is natural selection, giving rise to the diversity of life we see on Earth today. It is essential for the long-term survival of species as it ensures that populations maintain or improve their 'fit' to continually changing environments.