The correct option is (b).
Explanation
In biology, it is essential to distinguish between adaptation, which is a long-term evolutionary process involving genetic changes, and acclimatization, which refers to short-term physiological adjustments by an individual organism.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The small changes that take place in the body of a single organism over a short period to overcome small problems due to changes in the surroundings are called acclimatization. For example, the increase in breathing rate when a person moves to a high-altitude region is acclimatization, not adaptation.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Adaptation refers to the presence of specific features or certain habits which enable an organism to live naturally in its habitat. These features are evolved over a long period and are genetically fixed. Examples include the gills of a fish for aquatic life or the thick fur of a polar bear for cold climates.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. Adaptation does not take place in a short time. It is a slow process that occurs over thousands of years as the abiotic factors of a region change. Organisms that fail to adapt to these long-term changes die out, while those that adapt survive and reproduce. It is not a rapid process occurring within a few days.
Key Takeaway:
Adaptation is a permanent, heritable trait evolved over thousands of years, whereas acclimatization is a temporary, non-heritable adjustment occurring over a short duration.