What occurs after an organism reproduces in the context of natural selection?

After an organism reproduces, the passing on of advantageous genes to offspring plays a crucial role in the process of natural selection. When an organism with beneficial adaptations produces offspring, those offspring can inherit traits that are better suited to survive and reproduce in their environment. This transmission of advantageous traits increases the likelihood that these characteristics will persist in future generations.

As these offspring grow and reproduce, the traits that confer advantages—such as improved survival skills, enhanced ability to find food, or better resistance to diseases—become more common within the population. Over time, as these favorable traits accumulate, the population may evolve, leading to greater fitness in the prevailing environmental conditions. Ultimately, this mechanism drives the process of natural selection by favoring individuals whose inherited traits enhance their survival and reproductive success.