Adaptation is defined as

• A. A change in an organism over time that is inherited.
• B. A trait that helps an organism to survive.
• C. A behavior that becomes maladaptive.
• D. A non-biological feature.

Answer: (B)

Adaptation is a heritable trait that provides a functional advantage in a given environment by helping an organism survive (and usually reproduce). That idea is captured by describing an adaptation as a trait that helps an organism survive. The other statements don’t fit: a change over time that is inherited describes evolution more than a specific trait; a behavior that becomes maladaptive would hinder survival; and a non-biological feature isn’t a biological trait. So, the trait that helps survival best fits what adaptation means.