What is the term for an inherited characteristic that enhances an organism's chances of survival?

The term that describes an inherited characteristic that enhances an organism's chances of survival is known as adaptation. Adaptations are features that have evolved over time through the process of natural selection, allowing organisms to better fit their environment and increase their reproductive success. These characteristics can be structural, behavioral, or physiological and are essential for organisms to thrive in their specific habitats.

Adaptation is crucial for the process of evolution, as it helps populations to respond effectively to changes in their environment. For example, animals in cold climates may develop thicker fur as an adaptation to conserve heat, while plants in arid regions might evolve deep root systems to access water more efficiently.

In contrast, mutation refers to a change in the DNA sequence that can generate genetic diversity, but not all mutations are beneficial or enhance survival. Genetic drift involves random changes in allele frequencies within a population, which can lead to significant evolutionary changes over time but isn't specifically tied to increased survival or reproduction. Natural selection is the process through which adaptations are favored and become more common in a population, but the term itself does not refer to the adaptations themselves. Thus, adaptation is the accurate term for the inherited characteristics that aid in survival.