natural selection: 

 

The major mechanism by which evolution proceeds, whereby the environment selects the best-adapted organisms for survival, i.e., organisms that: 1) best obtain and use resources; 2) escape predators; 3) resist disease; and

4) withstand environmental changes.

 

Natural Selection favors those individuals with genes that specify those traits that allow them to respond effectively to those pressures exerted by the environment.

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These organisms are more likely to survive and reproduce, and, thereby, pass their genetically derived adaptations for survival on to their offspring, which is called:

 

differential reproduction:

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This occurs when, because of its advantageous characteristics, a greater proportion of these better-adapted organisms will survive and reproduce, thus passing on their survival strengths.