A heritable trait that improves the ability of an individual organism to survive and to reproduce at a higher rate than other individuals in a population is called a(n) ____.
A) adaptation
B) mutagen
C) niche
D) chromosome
E) selection

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An adaptation is a heritable trait that improves the fitness of an individual organism and allows it to survive and reproduce better than other individuals in a population. This trait is passed down from parent to offspring and becomes more common in a population over time through natural selection. Mutagens are agents that cause mutations, niches are the specific environmental conditions in which a species can thrive, chromosomes are structures that carry genetic material, and selection refers to the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population based on their impact on survival and reproduction.

A Heritable Trait That Improves the Ability of an Individual