Final answer:
The genetic preservation of features that increase survival and reproduction is called natural selection. It is an evolutionary process where traits that provide a survival and reproductive advantage become more common in a population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genetic preservation of the features that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction of some individuals within a population is known as the process of natural selection. This concept, often summarized by the phrase "survival of the fittest," is a fundamental mechanism of evolutionary change. Natural selection occurs when there is variation in inherited traits among individuals in a population, and certain traits confer a survival and reproductive advantage. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, as the individuals with such traits are more likely to survive to reproductive age and pass on their genes to the next generation.
An example of this process can be seen in the beak shapes of finches, where beak variations that improve the birds' ability to access different food sources can lead to an increased chance of survival and reproduction, thereby influencing the overall genetic makeup of the population.
Natural selection is different from other evolutionary processes like genetic drift, founder effect, and gene flow, which also influence allele frequencies but do not necessarily select for traits that improve survival or reproduction.