Natural selection and evolution are related concepts, but they are not interchangeable. Evolution refers to the process by which species change over time, while natural selection is one of the mechanisms that drives evolution. Natural selection is the idea that individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation, leading to the genetic makeup of a population gradually shifting over time.
Natural selection is a mechanism by which evolutionary processes occur. It refers to the process in which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to a gradual change in the genetic makeup of a population over time. Evolution, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses all the changes in the genetic composition of a population over generations, including not only natural selection but also genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. In other words, natural selection is one of the driving forces behind the larger process of evolution, as it helps determine which traits are more likely to be passed on to future generations.
