The ability of an organism to live successfully in an environment is known as ________

Explanation

The question is asking about a term that describes an organism's ability to survive and thrive in its environment. This term is known as adaptation. Adaptation refers to the process by which an organism adjusts to its environment to increase its chances of survival. For example, animals living in the Arctic have adapted to the cold weather by growing thick fur to keep warm and having a layer of fat under their skin for insulation. Plants in the desert have adapted to the hot, dry environment by having long roots to reach water deep underground, and by reducing the amount of water they lose through evaporation by having small leaves or no leaves at all. Adaptation is important for an organism to be able to survive and reproduce in its environment. It allows the organism to better compete for resources and avoid predators, increasing its overall fitness. Therefore, Option D: adaptation is the correct answer to the question.