Which statement best defines natural selection?

Natural selection is defined as the process through which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than those that are not. This concept, first introduced by Charles Darwin, emphasizes that the traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in successive generations.

This process is driven by variations among individuals in a population, which can arise from mutations, genetic recombination, and other sources of genetic diversity. When environmental pressures exist—such as competition for resources, predation, and changes in climate—those individuals with advantageous traits that confer greater fitness are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to their offspring. Over time, this leads to evolutionary changes in the population, favoring adaptations that help organisms thrive in their specific environments.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately capture the essence of natural selection. Some suggest broader or unrelated ideas, like random mutations or social dynamics, rather than focusing specifically on the advantages afforded by adaptations to an environment. Understanding this principle is crucial to grasping how evolution occurs and how species change over time in response to their surroundings.