Which of the following describes the ability of an organism to adapt over time through evolution?

The ability of an organism to adapt over time through evolution is best described by the term adaptation. This concept refers to the process by which species undergo changes in their traits over generations in response to environmental pressures. These changes enhance the survival and reproductive success of the organism in its particular habitat.

Adaptation occurs through mechanisms like natural selection, where individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation. Over time, this leads to the gradual evolution of species as they become better suited to their environments.

In contrast, the other terms mentioned serve different biological functions. The response to stimuli denotes how organisms react to changes in their environment, but it is a more immediate reaction rather than a long-term evolutionary change. Growth and development refer to the life cycle changes an organism undergoes from birth to maturity, which is not synonymous with evolutionary adaptation. Cellular organization refers to the arrangement of cells in an organism, indicating complexity but not necessarily how a species evolves over time. Thus, while all these concepts are essential to biology, adaptation specifically captures the essence of evolutionary change.