Final answer:
The correct sequence for the steps in natural selection is option D: 2, 3, 1; which corresponds to the overproduction of offspring with varying traits, followed by the survival of the fittest, ultimately leading to the preservation of successful genes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct sequence for the steps involved in natural selection is represented by option D: 2, 3, 1. This sequence starts with (2) the overproduction of offspring, which inherently varies in traits. This variability is crucial because it introduces different characteristics into the population. Next, (3) comes the differential survival, where environmental challenges test the fitness of the various traits. The individuals with traits that confer an advantage are more likely to survive than those with less advantageous traits. Finally, (1) there's the preservation of the genes of the best-adapted offspring. These successful individuals are more likely to reproduce and pass their advantageous traits to the next generation, further propelling the process of evolution through natural selection.
Moreover, this sequence aligns with Darwin's principles of inheritance, overproduction, and variation with competition for limited resources leading to survival of the fittest. It is these individuals that manage to survive various environmental challenges, such as predators or scarce resources, who get to pass on their genes to subsequent generations. Over time, these traits become more common within the population, resulting in evolutionary changes.