What is an adaptation in evolution?

“Adaptation is the physical or behavioural characteristic of an organism that helps an organism to survive better in the surrounding environment.”

Living things are adapted to the habitat they live in. This is because they have special features that help them to survive. The development of these special features is the result of evolution due to gene mutation. These mutations aid in survival and reproduction and pass on from one generation to the other.

Types of Adaptation

Adaptations can be of the following types:

Structural Adaptations

These involve the physical features of an organism that help them to survive in the environment including the different types of  terrestrial habitat. The physical changes are related to the changes in the physical environment. For eg., camouflage, which is the protective colouration that helps an organism to blend in its environment. This protects them from predators and increases their chances of survival.

Also Read: Bergmann’s Rule

Behavioural Adaptations

This is the change that affects the behaviour of an organism. This could be caused due to the changes in the surrounding environment or due to the actions of other species. For eg: The rabbit freezes if it feels that it has been seen by a predator. Changes in reproductive strategy, feeding habits, migration, hibernation, communication methods are a few other examples of behavioural adaptations.

Physiological Adaptations

Like structural adaptations, the physiological adaptations also involve physical changes in the species. However, physiological adaptations are not always seen in the organism’s appearance. This type of adaptation can be either due to changes in the environment or due to the behaviour of other species.

For eg: A fish living in water that suddenly becomes more acidic has to shift its body chemistry to adapt itself.

Also Read: Adaptation and Habitat

Theory of Adaptation

The theory of adaptation was proposed by Charles Darwin which states that an organism that is able to adapt to the changing environment will survive, the rest will be eliminated. This is known as survival of the fittest.

According to the adaptation theory, there are different changes that take place when the habitat changes:

• Habitat Tracking: This is when a species finds another similar environment to which it has inhabited before.

• Extinction: When the species is unable to find such an environment, it dies or becomes extinct.

• Genetic Change: This occurs when organisms with slight genetic changes are better adapted to changed habitat with better access to resources and mating partners.

Importance of Adaptation

Adaptation is essential for the survival of living organisms. Animals, which are unable to adapt to changing environmental changes die. These adaptations are a result of genetic changes. The animals that survive pass on the mutated genes to their offsprings. This is known as natural selection.

Adaptations such as camouflage and colouration protect them from predators. DNA mutations help in the longer survival of animals in dangerous environments and these traits of survival are passed onto future generations. These adaptations make it possible for a variety of creatures to thrive on planet earth.

Charles Darwin studied turtles of two islands. The turtles present on one island had short legs, straight shells and derived food present low to the ground. A few turtles migrated to another island, where the food was much higher up. The turtles with longer legs survived. Their necks elongated and shells became rounded over the course of time. Thus, the population on the new island grew with these adaptations in their species.

Also Read: Organisms and the Surroundings they live

Learn more in detail about adaptation, its definition, types, importance, or any other related topics at BYJU’S Biology

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