Which term describes an adaptation that helps organisms survive treatment without being inherited?

Tolerance refers to an adaptation that allows organisms to withstand environmental stressors or treatments without the need for genetic inheritance. This means that an individual organism may develop a way to cope with certain pressures, such as chemicals or physical conditions, based on its own experiences rather than passing down a genetic trait to future generations. For example, a plant may be able to survive periods of drought not because it has evolved drought-resistant traits through natural selection, but because it can adjust its physiological processes temporarily to cope with the lack of water.

In contrast, resistance denotes a genetic change that increases an organism's ability to survive specific treatments or threats, such as pests or herbicides, thus suggesting a mechanism inherited by future generations. Susceptibility reflects a lack of ability to withstand such treatments, leading to more damage or harm, while vulnerability indicates the potential for harm or damage under certain circumstances. These concepts are crucial in integrated pest management as they help in understanding how different organisms interact with treatments and environmental changes, ultimately informing more effective management strategies.