What role does natural selection play in evolution?

Natural selection is a crucial mechanism of evolution that describes how certain traits become more or less common in a population based on their effects on the individuals’ ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment. The process emphasizes the survival of the most adapted individuals, which means that those organisms with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

This selection process results in the gradual accumulation of advantageous traits in the population over time, leading to evolutionary change. As these adapted individuals contribute more offspring to the next generation compared to less adapted individuals, the overall genetic makeup of the population shifts, promoting traits that enhance survival and reproduction in that specific environment.

Natural selection does not result in an overall increase in population size, nor does it directly cause mutations. Instead, it acts on genetic variation that is already present within the population, shaping the evolutionary trajectory based on which traits confer an advantage in survival or reproduction. Thus, the correct answer reflects the core principle of natural selection acting on the most adapted individuals within a population.