Which process describes how organisms with certain inherited traits have better chances of survival and reproduction?

The process that describes how organisms with certain inherited traits have better chances of survival and reproduction is known as natural selection. This concept, first articulated by Charles Darwin, explains how certain traits become more common within a population over generations.

Natural selection operates on the principle that individuals with advantageous traits—those that enhance their ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment—are more likely to pass those traits on to the next generation. For instance, in a population of animals, faster individuals might escape predators more effectively, thus surviving longer and having more opportunities to reproduce. Over time, their speed becomes a more prevalent trait within the population.

This process is a key mechanism of evolution, as it leads to adaptations that help organisms thrive in their specific habitats, ultimately shaping the genetic makeup of populations over time. In contrast, gene flow refers to the movement of genes between populations, artificial selection involves human intervention in breeding, and genetic drift describes random changes in allele frequencies that can occur in small populations. These processes have different implications for how traits are distributed in populations and how they evolve.