Final answer:
Genetic changes, primarily through mutations, and natural selection are fundamental components of evolution, where beneficial traits become more common in a population over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic changes followed by selection are best described as the fundamentals of the process of evolution. The genetic changes often arise from mutations, which introduce genetic variety to a population. This genetic variability serves as a foundation for natural selection, where traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common over generations. Natural selection is a non-random process, as it favors those variants that are better adapted to the environment. It's also important to note that other mechanisms like gene flow and sexual reproduction contribute to genetic variation as well, and while mutation is a random process, the overall process of evolution is shaped by both random and non-random factors.