What does the concept of natural selection entail?

The concept of natural selection primarily involves the survival and reproduction of individuals that possess advantageous traits, which can enhance their chances of thriving in a particular environment. This process is driven by the idea that certain characteristics can confer benefits, enabling those individuals to survive longer, reproduce more, and pass those advantageous traits on to future generations. Over time, this can lead to changes in the traits of populations, as beneficial adaptations become more common.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the essence of natural selection. For instance, the idea that environmental changes affect all organisms equally does not consider that different species or individuals may have varying levels of adaptability. The notion that organisms can immediately adapt to their surroundings misrepresents the gradual nature of evolutionary change; adaptations occur over many generations rather than instantaneously. Lastly, reproduction without competition does not align with the natural selection framework, as competition is a key factor that influences which traits are favored, as those with superior traits typically out-reproduce others in the struggle for limited resources.