What is the difference between natural selection and evolution?

Evolution is a gradual change in the inherited traits of a population over many generations. 

Natural selection is a mechanism where the members of a population best suited to their environment have the best chance of surviving to pass on their genes. The natural environment selects for these members over others in the population. 

Over many generations, because more of the best suited members have been reproducing, the population all now have the trait that makes them better suited for the environment. 

This population has now evolved to better suit its environment, through the process of natural selection.

DA
Answered by Dara A. Biology tutor

82129 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the structure of the blastocyst


How are proteins produced?


What are the electrical changes in an axon that occur during an Action Potential?


Explain how the structure of RNA differs from that of DNA? (3 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning