Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

The process of natural selection is best described as survival of individuals based on advantageous traits. This concept, first articulated by Charles Darwin, posits that individuals within a population exhibit variations in their traits, some of which give them a better chance of surviving and reproducing in their particular environment. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population as individuals that possess them are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

While random mutation of genes does play a crucial role in generating the variations upon which natural selection acts, it is not sufficient on its own to describe the mechanism of natural selection itself. Deliberate breeding by humans, known as artificial selection, refers to a different process where humans select for specific traits in plants and animals, rather than the natural, unguided process seen in natural selection. Sudden environmental changes can influence natural selection by creating new pressures, but the core of natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction associated with advantageous traits. Thus, the essence of natural selection resides in the survival of individuals with traits that confer a fitness advantage in their environment.