Extinction and adaptation are opposing concepts in evolution. Extinction refers to species that are gone forever with no more individuals remaining, preserved only in the fossil record or historical accounts. Adaptation allows animals and plants to change over time to better suit their environment through traits like camouflage, body part changes, or behaviors that allow a species to survive and potentially dominate in its ecological niche. While extinction removes a species permanently, adaptation is an ongoing process that allows organisms to persist through environmental changes.