The natural process that makes an organism suited to live in a specific environment is called "natural selection." Natural selection is one of the fundamental mechanisms of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin.
Natural selection works through the interaction of three key components: variation, heredity, and differential reproductive success. Within a population of organisms, there is genetic variation, meaning individuals differ from one another in terms of their traits or characteristics. Some of this variation is heritable, meaning it can be passed down from parents to offspring.
In any given environment, certain traits may provide advantages or disadvantages to individuals in terms of their ability to survive and reproduce. These advantageous traits increase an organism's chances of surviving and reproducing in that specific environment. The individuals with these advantageous traits are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation, thereby increasing the frequency of those traits in the population over time.
Conversely, traits that are disadvantageous in a particular environment are less likely to be passed on, as individuals with those traits may have lower survival or reproductive success. This leads to a decrease in the frequency of those traits in the population.
Over generations, natural selection acts on these variations, favoring traits that are better suited to the specific environmental conditions. Gradually, populations become adapted to their environments as the frequency of advantageous traits increases, and individuals with those traits become more prevalent.
Natural selection can lead to the development of a wide range of adaptations in organisms, such as physical structures, physiological processes, behavioral patterns, and even biochemical mechanisms. These adaptations enhance an organism's survival and reproductive success within its specific environment, allowing it to thrive and pass on its genes to future generations.