What is the basic principle behind natural selection?

Natural selection is commonly described by the phrase "survival of the fittest," which encapsulates the idea that individuals within a population that possess traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This process is driven by the competition for resources, environmental pressures, and variations among individuals in a population.

The essence of natural selection lies in its role in shaping the evolution of species over time. Those individuals that have advantageous traits—whether it’s better camouflage, increased speed, or improved foraging abilities—tend to survive longer and have more offspring. These favorable traits can then be passed on to subsequent generations, gradually influencing the genetic makeup of the population.

The phrase "survival of the fittest" specifically highlights that "fitness" refers not just to physical strength but rather to an organism’s overall ability to thrive and reproduce in its particular environment. As conditions change, different traits may become advantageous, which is why natural selection is a dynamic process that drives evolution.

In this context, genetic mutations, environmental adaptation, and artificial selection are important concepts but do not encapsulate the foundational principle of natural selection in the same way. Genetic mutations are the source of variation on which natural selection acts, environmental adaptation refers to how species adjust