Adaptations : The modifications in the structure of organisms to survive successfully in an environment are called adaptations of organisms. Adaptations help the organisms to exist under the prevailing ecological habitat. Based on the habitats and the corresponding adaptations of plants, they are classified as hydrophytes, xerophytes, mesophytes, epiphytes and halophytes.
Importance of Adaptations : Adaptation is essential for the survival of living organisms. Animals, which are unable to adapt to changing environmental changes die. These adaptations are a result of genetic changes. The animals that survive pass on the mutated genes to their offspring. Two examples of adaptation are : To prevent water loss from leaves by transpiration in the hot climates of deserts, cacti have leaves modified into spines. Animals living in extremely cold climates, such as polar bears have thick coats of fur and large deposits of fat to insulate them against the cold.
In evolutionary theory, adaptation is the biological mechanism by which organisms adjust to new environment or to changes in their current environment. This enables better survival and reproduction compared with other members of the species, leading to evolution.