Which process helps organisms develop traits that allow them to survive in specific environments?

Natural selection is the process that helps organisms develop traits that enhance their survival in specific environments. This mechanism occurs when individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without those traits. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common within the population, allowing species to adapt to their environments.

For instance, in a habitat where food sources may be scarce, organisms with traits that enable them to find food more efficiently are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to the gradual development of characteristics that improve survival in that particular environment.

While evolution is a broader concept that includes changes in species over time, natural selection specifically describes how advantageous traits are selected for in a given environment. Adaptive radiation refers to the rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor, particularly when new environments become available. Punctuated equilibrium is a theory that suggests species remain relatively stable for long periods, punctuated by brief episodes of significant change. Therefore, natural selection is the key process that directly explains the development of traits that enhance survival in specific environments.