Here's why:
* Adaptation is a long-term, evolutionary process where organisms develop traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment. These traits can be physical, behavioral, or physiological.
* Acclimatization is a shorter-term, individual-level adjustment to environmental changes. It's not a permanent change in the organism's genes, but rather a temporary shift in its physiology or behavior.
Examples:
* Adaptation: A polar bear's thick fur and layer of blubber are adaptations to survive in cold Arctic environments.
* Acclimatization: Humans acclimatize to higher altitudes by producing more red blood cells to carry oxygen.
Therefore, adaptation is the most accurate term for the ability of a living thing to adjust to environmental change over generations.
