How does natural selection contribute to the process of evolution?

Natural selection plays a pivotal role in the process of evolution by favoring individuals with traits that enhance their chances of survival and reproduction. This concept is grounded in the idea that certain traits can provide a competitive advantage in a given environment. As individuals possessing these advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, they pass these beneficial traits on to their offspring. This mechanism leads to an increase in the frequency of these traits within the population over generations.

Additionally, natural selection does not act on random mutations directly but rather on the phenotypic expressions of those mutations that may result in a survival advantage. While natural selection can influence genetic variation by favoring certain traits, its primary contribution to evolution is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on their traits in relation to their environment. This selective process ultimately shapes the genetic makeup and adaptive characteristics of populations, driving evolutionary change.