Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Natural selection is the process by which certain traits or characteristics become more or less common in a population over time due to their impact on survival and reproduction.
Related terms
Adaptation: The process by which organisms develop traits that allow them to better survive in their environment.