Which term refers to the inherited traits that improve an organism's chance of survival?

The term that refers to the inherited traits that improve an organism's chance of survival is adaptation. Adaptations are characteristics that have evolved over time through the process of natural selection, enabling organisms to better fit their environments. These traits can include physical features, such as the thick fur of animals in cold climates, or behavioral traits, like migration patterns in birds. Successful adaptations enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits on to future generations.

In this context, mutations describe random changes in an organism's DNA that can lead to new traits but are not inherently beneficial. An ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms and their environmental interactions, which is not directly tied to individual traits. Homeostasis refers to the mechanisms that maintain stable internal conditions within an organism regardless of external changes, which is generally about regulation rather than inherited traits that enhance survival.