Question

Why is adaptation important for survival?

Answer 1

Adaption is the ability of an organism to adapt to an environment and adjust with the time. The adaptation theory is also called the survival of the fittest theory. This theory was established by Charles Darwin who conducted experiments in Galapagos Island in the 1830s. Before Darwin there were many other scientists like William Paley, Lamarck, Empedocles, Buffon and Aristotle who accepted the fact that species change with time. But they were unable to understand the underlying cause for this change. As there is no final form of this change of species.

Complete Answer:
Adaptation could take place due to mutation or natural selection. Mutation refers to a sudden genetic change which could be accidental or random. Mutation will appear due to any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA and if a single pair of nucleotides is put back. Certain mutations are unfavourable for human beings while certain mutations could be advantageous to the survival of an organism in the fight for existence.
Every organism has a natural habitat which is the home of that organism. This is the place where the basic needs of the organism like shelter, water, food and other needs are met. All organisms must have to adapt to their habitats to be able to survive. An adaptation is a change to the structure or to the behaviour of an organism which helps the organism to survive better in the habitat. This means the organism will need to adapt to the climatic conditions, predators and have to compete for the same resources with the others living in that habitat.

Adaptation shields the animals from their predators. One great example is the ability to camouflage. Camouflage is an adaptation that helps an organism to hide itself in surroundings so that it can’t be noticed. Adaptation also helps the organism to protect themselves from the harsh weather. For example in Alaska where the temperature is very low the animals reserve food in their body and defend the cold climate with thick furs.

Note:
The resources are fixed or limited in an area. There is competition for the available resources among the species of that area. In a population some individuals have the traits that can make them better at surviving and reproducing. This trait could be structural or behavioural. In the fight for existence some individuals show wide variations that have a reproductive advantage and produce more progeny than other species.