This is an inherited characteristic that increases an organisms chance of survival

Adaptation is an inherited characteristic that increases an organisms chance of survival.

Every organism has the ability to adapt to its surroundings - the thing is, some organisms are better at it than others. As a result of that, those organisms are more likely to survive many events that those organisms which cannot adapt as easily won't. It is the survival of the fittest - those that can learn how to adapt properly will survive, whereas the others won't.