Chapter 3, Problem 1Q

In everyday English, the word adaptation means an adjustment to environmental conditions. How is the evolutionary definition of adaptation different from the everyday English sense?

Summary Introduction

To determine: The way by which evolutionary definition of adaptation is different from everyday English sense.

Introduction: Evolution is a natural process that includes several changes over several generations in the characteristics of a species by the process of natural selection, thereby leading to the evolution of a new species.

Explanation of Solution

Generally, in everyday life, the term adaptation indicates modifications of a specific individual during their lifetime in the living environment for better survival. However, the changes do not influence the process of reproduction. The traits that are developed by the process of natural selection over several generations constitute evolutional adaptations; these traits can also be defined as comparative reproductive fitness. For example, consider the evolution of enzymes in organisms. Organisms that had the ability to synthesize reverse transcriptase had better chances of survival than the organisms that lacked the enzyme.