Question

which best describes the relationship between evolution and natural selection?
○ natural selection leads to evolution.
○ evolution leads to natural selection.
○ natural selection is the same as evolution.
○ evolution and natural selection are not related.

Explanation:

To determine the relationship between evolution and natural selection:

• Recall the definitions: Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. Natural selection is a mechanism by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
• Analyze each option:
• "Natural selection leads to evolution": Natural selection acts on the variation within a population, favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction. Over time, this differential survival and reproduction leads to changes in the population's genetic makeup, which is evolution. This is correct.
• "Evolution leads to natural selection": The causal relationship is reversed. Natural selection is a driving force of evolution, not the other way around.
• "Natural selection is the same as evolution": Natural selection is one mechanism (among others like genetic drift, mutation, gene flow) that causes evolution. They are not the same.
• "Evolution and natural selection are not related": They are closely related, with natural selection being a key mechanism of evolution.

Answer:

A. Natural selection leads to evolution.