What is meant by natural selection?

Natural selection refers to the mechanism by which certain traits become more common in a population over time, primarily due to the advantages these traits confer in terms of survival and reproduction. Specifically, it describes how organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive longer and produce more offspring than those that are less well adapted. This process leads to the gradual evolution of species, as advantageous traits are passed down through generations.

The concept is central to the theory of evolution and is driven by environmental pressures that favor certain adaptations. For example, in a population of animals, those with traits that help them find food or escape predators are more likely to survive and reproduce, thereby passing those beneficial traits on to their offspring. This idea encapsulates the essence of natural selection, which operates on the variation present in a population and is a key factor in the adaptation of species over time.

The other options do not adequately capture the essence of natural selection. Random genetic mutations are a source of genetic diversity and are separate from the selective pressures that drive natural selection. The creation of new species, while a possible result of evolution, is not the definition of natural selection itself. Similarly, the mixing of genetic information during reproduction relates to genetic variation rather than the survival and reproductive success