What is an evolutionary adaptation?
a. A trait that improves the fitness of its bearer, compared with individuals without the trait
b. A trait that changes in response to environmental influences within the individual's lifetime
c. The ability of an individual to adjust to its environment
d. A trait that an individual wants so that it can survive

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of evolutionary adaptation: It refers to a heritable trait that increases the fitness of an organism, meaning it enhances the organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
2. Consider the context of the problem: The beach-dwelling mice have developed white fur, which is a heritable trait. This trait likely provides a survival advantage by helping them blend into their sandy environment, thus avoiding predators.
3. Evaluate each option: a) A trait that improves the fitness of its bearer, compared with individuals without the trait, aligns with the definition of an evolutionary adaptation. b) A trait that changes in response to environmental influences within the individual's lifetime is more akin to acclimatization, not adaptation. c) The ability of an individual to adjust to its environment describes phenotypic plasticity, not a genetic adaptation. d) A trait that an individual wants so that it can survive is not a scientific explanation for adaptation.
4. Identify the correct option: Based on the definition and context, option a) is the correct description of an evolutionary adaptation.
5. Conclude with the understanding that evolutionary adaptations are traits that have been naturally selected because they confer a survival or reproductive advantage in a specific environment.

Key Concepts

Evolutionary Adaptation

An evolutionary adaptation is a heritable trait that enhances the fitness of an organism, allowing it to survive and reproduce more effectively in its environment. This trait is developed over generations through natural selection, where advantageous traits become more common in a population. In the context of the mice, the white fur is an adaptation that helps them blend into the sandy environment, reducing predation.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than others. This mechanism drives the evolution of species, as advantageous traits become more prevalent over generations. In the case of the Florida mice, natural selection favors those with fur color that provides camouflage, enhancing their survival against predators.

Genetic Heritability

Genetic heritability refers to the proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals in a population. Traits like fur color in mice are passed down from parents to offspring through genes, such as MC1R, which influence pigmentation. Heritability ensures that beneficial adaptations, like the white fur of beach-dwelling mice, are transmitted across generations.