Final answer:
Individuals with advantageous traits are more efficient at competing for resources which leads to a greater chance of surviving and reproducing, thus passing these traits on to the next generation. Over time, these traits become more common in the population through the process of natural selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with advantageous traits perform more effectively in the competition for resources because these traits increase their chances of survival and reproduction. During the process of natural selection, traits that provide an advantage in a specific environment will more likely be passed down to subsequent generations. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common within a population, leading to evolutionary changes.
Individuals who are most adapted to their environment have a higher likelihood of survival due to their advantageous traits. This capability ensures they have more resources to reproduce, thereby ensuring their genetic material is represented more in the next generation. It's a fundamental aspect of the theory of evolution and explains why certain traits become more prevalent in a population over time.
As a result, in any given population, you'll find that traits offering a benefit in terms of survival and reproduction will become more common. This is due to the individuals with these traits having more offspring and thus, a better chance at passing these advantageous qualities on. Conversely, less beneficial or detrimental traits tend to decline over generations unless they're coupled with other beneficial traits or involved in complex genetic relationships.