In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the population during that process. Thirdly, it is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection.
Organisms face a succession of environmental challenges as they grow, and show adaptive plasticity as traits develop in response to the imposed conditions. This gives them resilience to varying environments.
Answer:
b. diffusion and osmosis across semi-permeable membranes
Explanation:
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a high energy carrying molecule in the system of living organisms. It posseses the ability to store and release energy for use by organisms during biochemical activities. However, some processes do not require ATP to occur and are called PASSIVE TRANSPORT while those that require energy (ATP) are called ACTIVE TRANSPORT.
In the above options, the processes listed as follows require ATP to occur:
- The active transport of glucose from the small intestine to the blood
- The movement of the flagella of sperm for motility
- Exocytosis of waste substances across a semi-permeable membrane
However, the diffusion and osmosis across semi-permeable membranes, which is a passive transport does not require ATP.
The physical characteristics of minerals include traits which are used to identify and describe mineral species. These traits include color, streak, luster, density, hardness, cleavage, fracture, tenacity, and crystal habit.
