it's not by chance that organisms in the moss beach tide pools have shells, holdfasts,camouflage, and poison. physical features and behaviors that improve an organism's chance of survival are called adaptations. adaptations,which allow organisms to meet their basic life needs in the conditions and resources of their environment, require long periods of time to develop. the most crucial adaptations involve acquiring energy, nutrients, and water; maintaining a stable internal body temperature; exchanging gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide; and finding sufficient living space. many organisms also have mates and for food territory, and other resources.