Final answer:
Darwin's Theory of natural selection is rooted in the variations of traits passed on to offspring, essential for evolution as these variations lead to different survival and reproductive success rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Darwin's Theory of natural selection is based on the variations of traits passed to offspring. Natural selection is a critical concept in evolutionary biology, explaining how populations evolve over time. Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace outlined that natural selection operates when there are variable inherited traits among individuals in a population, differential survival due to competition for limited resources, and the subsequent reproduction of individuals who are better adapted to their environment.
For evolution by natural selection to occur, three main principles must be met: First, there must be inherited variation in traits within a population. Second, organisms must produce more offspring than can survive in their environment, creating competition for resources. Lastly, these variations must lead to advantages in survival and reproduction, causing favorable traits to be more represented in the next generation, a process Darwin described as descent with modification. Over time, these changes can lead to the development of new species and contribute to the diversity of life.