Biology / Unit 8 Bio 1655 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Adaptation Defined
Captions available
The idea
An adaptation is a heritable trait that improves an organism's survival or reproduction in its current environment, produced and maintained by natural selection.
In practice
A snow leopard's thick fur, suited to a cold climate, is an adaptation natural selection has favored and maintained.
Where people slip
An adaptation is judged against its current environment — a trait favorable now can become unfavorable if conditions change.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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