What attribute of living organisms refers to their ability to respond to changes in their environment?

The attribute of living organisms that refers to their ability to respond to changes in their environment is irritability. This term specifically describes how organisms can detect and react to stimuli from their surroundings, which is a fundamental characteristic of life.

Irritability allows organisms to make quick adjustments to their behavior or physiological processes in response to changes such as temperature shifts, the presence of food, threats, or other environmental factors. This responsiveness is crucial for survival, as it enables organisms to navigate their environment effectively, find resources, and avoid danger.

In contrast, other attributes such as movement or growth relate more to physical changes or activities rather than the specific ability to respond to stimuli. Adaptation, while also relating to responsiveness, refers to longer-term evolutionary changes that occur over generations in response to environmental pressures, rather than immediate responses to environmental changes. Thus, irritability is the most accurate term for the direct responsiveness characteristic of living organisms.