What is the first step in the process of natural selection?

The first step in the process of natural selection is variation. Variation refers to the differences among individuals in a population, which can affect traits such as size, color, or behavior. These variations are essential because they provide the raw material upon which natural selection can act. Without variations, there would be no differences for the environment to select from, and evolution would not occur.

In the context of natural selection, individuals with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than those with less advantageous traits. This survival and reproduction lead to the gradual accumulation of beneficial traits in the population over generations. Mutation can introduce new variations, but it is the existing variations that are critical for natural selection to take place.

Reproduction is important in the process, as those individuals with advantageous traits must pass them on to the next generation for natural selection to have a lasting impact on the population. However, the presence of variation is the initial prerequisite for any evolutionary changes to occur through natural selection.