Final answer:
Mutation is a random process that creates genetic variation, while natural selection is a non-random process that selects favorable traits within a population. Natural selection actively shapes the evolutionary process by favoring traits that provide a survival advantage, leading to species adaptation over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of mutation in biology refers to a random change in a genetic sequence that can lead to a variant form. Mutation is a random process because there is no predictability in when and how a mutation will occur. The randomness of mutations contributes to genetic variation, but not all mutations have an impact on an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.
On the other hand, natural selection is a process that is not random. It acts on existing genetic variation within a population, favoring those individuals whose traits offer a selective advantage in their environment. As a result, those traits become more common in the population over generations. Natural selection is not random because it is a consistent, directional process that is shaped by the environment's demands, ensuring that favorable adaptations become more prevalent.
One must understand that while mutation introduces variability, natural selection acts on this variation in a non-random way, promoting the survival of certain traits over others. This interaction between random mutations and non-random selection pressures leads to the evolution of species.