What is the capacity of an organism to develop traits suited to its environment called?

The capacity of an organism to develop traits that are suited to its environment is best described as adaptation. This process involves changes in the organism's characteristics over generations, often enhancing its survival and reproductive success in its specific environment. Adaptation is a key concept in evolutionary biology and encompasses various mechanisms through which organisms become better suited to their habitats, such as through physiological changes, behavioral modifications, or changes in morphology.

Phenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental conditions within its lifetime, which is distinct from adaptation that occurs over long periods and involves genetic changes across generations. Natural selection is a mechanism that drives adaptation but does not define the capacity itself; instead, it is the process that favors the traits that enhance survival. Gene flow refers to the transfer of genetic material between populations and does not specifically describe the capacity of individual organisms to develop suited traits. Thus, adaptation is the most accurate term to describe the capacity for organisms to develop traits that enhance their fitness in a particular environment.