Which statement best describes how natural selection contributes to evolution?

• A. Natural selection increases the frequency of advantageous traits in a population over generations.
• B. Natural selection causes individuals to develop new traits during their lifetime.
• C. Natural selection acts only on mutations that occur after an organism reproduces.
• D. Natural selection eliminates all genetic variation within a population.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of natural selection: Natural selection is a process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation. It does not create new traits during an individual's lifetime but acts on existing genetic variation.
2. Clarify the role of genetic variation: Natural selection requires genetic variation within a population to act upon. It does not eliminate all genetic variation; instead, it favors traits that provide a survival or reproductive advantage.
3. Examine the role of mutations: Mutations are changes in the DNA that can introduce new genetic variation. Natural selection acts on these mutations if they provide an advantage, but it does not specifically target mutations that occur after reproduction.
4. Focus on the population-level impact: Natural selection operates over generations, increasing the frequency of advantageous traits in the population. This contributes to evolution by gradually shaping the genetic makeup of the population.
5. Identify the correct statement: The correct description of natural selection's contribution to evolution is that it increases the frequency of advantageous traits in a population over generations, aligning with the principles of evolutionary biology.