"In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the population during that process. Thirdly, it is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection."
Study of how organisms adapt to their environment.
Evolution: The process of natural selection and adaptation through genetic variation and environmental pressures.
Ecology: The study of the interaction of organisms with their environment and the roles of various environmental factors in shaping biological adaptations.
Physiology: The study of the functions and mechanisms of living organisms and their organs and systems.
Anatomy: The study of the structure and organization of living organisms and their internal and external parts.
Genetics: The study of heredity and the transmission of genetic traits from parents to offspring.
Anthropometry: The measurement of physical characteristics of individuals or populations, including body size and proportions, and their variation.
Biomechanics: The study of the functional and mechanical properties of biological systems, including locomotion, posture, and manipulation.
Population biology: The study of populations of organisms, including their size, distribution, and dynamics, and the factors that affect them.
Ethology: The study of animal behavior, including social behavior, communication, and learning.
Comparative biology: The study of the similarities and differences among living organisms, including their morphology, physiology, and behavior.
Biogeography: The study of the distribution and evolution of living organisms across geographic regions and geological time scales.
Paleoanthropology: The study of the evolutionary history of humans and their ancestors based on fossil evidence.
Human genetics: The study of genetic variation and diversity among human populations and its impact on health, disease, and adaptation.
Molecular biology: The study of the structure and function of biological molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Immunology: The study of the immune system and its role in protecting organisms from infection and disease.
Biochemistry: The study of the chemical processes and reactions in living organisms and their relationship to biological functions.
Biostatistics: The application of statistical analysis to biological data, including hypothesis testing, modeling, and prediction.
Biomedical engineering: The application of engineering principles and techniques to biomedical research and healthcare technology.
Structural Adaptation: Physical features that help an animal or plant survive and reproduce, such as sharp teeth or fur color.
Physiological Adaptation: Internal processes that help an organism function efficiently in its environment, such as the ability to sweat to cool off in hot climates.
Behavioral Adaptation: Patterns of behavior that help an organism survive and reproduce, such as migration or hibernation.
Genetic Adaptation: Changes in an organism's genetic makeup over time that lead to better survival and reproductive success.
Developmental Adaptation: Changes in an organism's development that help it become more adept at surviving in its environment, such as developing thicker skin.
Acclimatization: A short-term physiological response to environmental changes that helps an organism survive, such as getting a tan.
Acclimation: A process of becoming used to new environmental conditions, such as adapting to a new altitude.
Cultural Adaptation: Adaptations made by humans to their environment, such as building homes or clothing to deal with extreme temperatures.
Evolutionary Adaptation: Gradual changes in a species over time that lead to better survival and reproductive success in a changing environment.
"Historically, adaptation has been described from the time of the ancient Greek philosophers such as Empedocles and Aristotle. In 18th and 19th century natural theology, adaptation was taken as evidence for the existence of a deity. Charles Darwin proposed instead that it was explained by natural selection."
"Adaptation is related to biological fitness, which governs the rate of evolution as measured by change in allele frequencies."
"Often, two or more species co-adapt and co-evolve as they develop adaptations that interlock with those of the other species, such as with flowering plants and pollinating insects."
"In mimicry, species evolve to resemble other species; in Müllerian mimicry, this is a mutually beneficial co-evolution as each of a group of strongly defended species (such as wasps able to sting) come to advertise their defenses in the same way."
"Features evolved for one purpose may be co-opted for a different one, as when the insulating feathers of dinosaurs were co-opted for bird flight."
"Adaptation is a major topic in the philosophy of biology, as it concerns function and purpose (teleology)."
"Some biologists try to avoid terms which imply purpose in adaptation, not least because it suggests a deity's intentions."
"Charles Darwin proposed instead that adaptation was explained by natural selection."
"Thirdly, adaptation is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection."
"Firstly, adaptation is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness."
"In 18th and 19th century natural theology, adaptation was taken as evidence for the existence of a deity."
"Historically, adaptation has been described from the time of the ancient Greek philosophers such as Empedocles and Aristotle."
"Often, two or more species co-adapt and co-evolve as they develop adaptations that interlock with those of the other species."
"In biology, adaptation has three related meanings."
"Secondly, adaptation is a state reached by the population during that process."
"Thirdly, adaptation is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection."
"Charles Darwin proposed instead that it was explained by natural selection."
"In mimicry, species evolve to resemble other species; in Müllerian mimicry, this is a mutually beneficial co-evolution as each of a group of strongly defended species come to advertise their defenses in the same way."
"Others note that adaptation is necessarily purposeful."