How does natural selection contribute to evolution?

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution that operates by favoring individuals with traits that provide a better fit to their environment. This means that those individuals are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their advantageous traits to the next generation. Over time, this process can lead to changes in the genetic makeup of a population, as beneficial adaptations accumulate.

For instance, if a particular trait enhances an organism's ability to find food or evade predators, individuals with that trait are more likely to thrive and reproduce. Consequently, the next generation may exhibit a higher frequency of that advantageous trait, illustrating how natural selection drives evolutionary change.

In contrast, random genetic mutations occur from chance and are not directed or selective, and while they contribute to genetic variation, they do not specifically drive adaptation. The idea that natural selection leads to the extinction of all less adapted organisms is misleading; while less adapted organisms may be less successful in certain environments, extinction is a more complex process that can involve various factors beyond just natural selection. Lastly, the concept of maintaining genetic stability does not accurately reflect the nature of evolution, which inherently involves change over time, often in response to shifting environmental conditions and selective pressures.