Function (biology)
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In evolutionary biology, function is the reason some object or process occurred in a system that evolved through natural selection. That reason is typically that it achieves some result, such as that
"Behaviour with a purpose": a young springbok stotting. A philosopher of biology might argue that this has the function of signalling to predators, helping the springbok to survive and allowing it to reproduce.
Tree of life by Haeckel
Adaptation
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In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness.
The common kestrel has adapted successfully to urban areas
Pollinating insects are co-adapted with flowering plants.
Images A and B show real wasps; the others show Batesian mimics: three hoverflies and one beetle.
An Indian peacock's train in full display