Final answer:
To have an evolutionary process, organisms need genetic variation, resources, and the ability to exchange matter. Conditions for evolution by natural selection include phenotypic variation with a genetic basis and differential survival related to trait advantage, as seen in the beak sizes of Darwin's finches.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to have an evolutionary process, organisms need to have enough genetic variation, resources, and the ability to exchange matter with the environment. As Darwin recognized, populations evolve through natural selection when certain conditions are met. These include the existence of phenotypic variation that has a genetic basis which can lead to differences in survival and reproduction among individuals in a population. For example, better-adapted organisms, such as Darwin's finches with beak sizes that match the availability of food resources like seeds, are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Resources such as food, water, shelter, nesting space, and mates are vital to support life processes and enable organisms to grow, reproduce, and maintain their organization. Competition for these resources intensifies as populations approach their carrying capacity, which may lead to evolutionary changes as individuals with favorable traits have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. Intraspecific competition is a significant factor in natural selection where organisms of the same species compete for the available resources, leading to evolutionary changes