How do organisms adapt to their environment over time?

Organisms adapt to their environment over time primarily as a result of natural selection. This process involves the survival and reproduction of individuals with traits that are better suited to their surroundings. Natural selection operates on the principle that variations within a species can lead to certain traits being advantageous in a given environment. Over generations, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, leading to gradual changes that enhance the species' ability to thrive in its habitat.

For instance, in a population of animals, those that are faster might escape predators more effectively, thus having a higher chance of survival and reproduction. Consequently, the genetic traits associated with speed become more prevalent. This reflects the fundamental mechanism driving evolution and adaptation in nature, whereby organisms become increasingly well-suited to their environments over time.

While other processes, like genetic drift and artificial selection, can influence change in populations, they do not represent the primary mechanism for adaptation in the way that natural selection does. Learned behaviors can also contribute to how organisms interact with their environments but do not fundamentally alter genetic traits over generations, which is essential for long-term adaptation.