What is "in terms of natural selection?

Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, proposed by Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution by natural selection. It is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than those that are less well adapted. This process leads to changes in the characteristics of populations over successive generations.

Natural selection operates on the variation that exists within a population. Individuals with traits that are advantageous in a particular environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring. Over time, this can lead to the accumulation of beneficial traits within a population, a process known as adaptation.

Natural selection can act on a variety of traits, including physical characteristics, behaviors, and physiological functions. It is a slow and gradual process that occurs over many generations, leading to the diversity of life forms we see today.

Overall, natural selection is a powerful force that drives the evolution of species, shaping the characteristics of organisms in response to changes in their environment. It is a fundamental concept in the field of biology and has been supported by a large body of evidence from genetics, paleontology, and other scientific disciplines.