1. Variation: Individuals within a species exhibit variations in their traits. This variation can be due to genetic differences, environmental influences, or a combination of both.
2. Heritability: Some of these variations are heritable, meaning they can be passed down from parents to offspring. This is the foundation of natural selection, as certain traits become more common in a population over time.
3. Natural Selection: Organisms with traits that make them better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This means they pass on their advantageous traits to their offspring. Over generations, this process leads to the gradual evolution of species.
These three concepts work together to drive the process of evolution. It's important to remember that evolution is a continuous and ongoing process, not a linear progression toward a specific goal.
