Which of the following best defines the term 'adaptation' in the context of evolution?

• A. A heritable trait that increases an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in a specific environment
• B. A random change in the DNA sequence of an organism
• C. The disappearance of a species from all parts of its geographical range
• D. The process by which individuals move into or out of a population

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the term 'adaptation' in the context of evolution. Adaptation refers to a heritable trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. This is a key concept in evolutionary biology.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options provided. The first option describes a heritable trait that increases survival and reproduction, which aligns with the definition of adaptation. The other options describe different biological phenomena.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second option, 'A random change in the DNA sequence of an organism.' This describes a mutation, not an adaptation. While mutations can lead to adaptations, they are not the same thing.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the third option, 'The disappearance of a species from all parts of its geographical range.' This describes extinction, which is unrelated to the concept of adaptation.
5. Step 5: Evaluate the fourth option, 'The process by which individuals move into or out of a population.' This describes migration, which is a population-level process and not directly related to the definition of adaptation. Therefore, the first option is the best definition of adaptation.