Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- natural selection
- evolution - The concept of natural selection
- population ecology - Effects of population size
- natural selection
- evolution - Directional selection
- population ecology - Effects of mode of reproduction: sexual and asexual
- genetic drift
- genetic drift
- reproduction - The evolution of reproduction
How does natural selection drive the process of evolution?
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evolution
The geologic time scale from 650 million years ago to the present, showing major evolutionary events.
Natural selection is the process by which organisms adapt to their environment through the selective reproduction of advantageous genetic traits. Variations that enhance an organism's survival and ability to reproduce are preserved and passed on to future generations, while less beneficial variations diminish. This differential reproduction, influenced by factors like survival rates, fertility, and mating success, leads to organisms becoming better suited to their surroundings. Over time, this can result in significant changes in morphology, physiology, and behavior, driving the process of evolution. Natural selection acts on the expressed characteristics (phenotype) of individuals, influencing the gene pool of a population.123456