In what way does evolution occur in living organisms?

Evolution occurs in living organisms primarily through the process of natural selection over generations. This concept, first articulated by Charles Darwin, suggests that individuals with traits that are advantageous for survival and reproduction in a given environment are more likely to pass those traits on to the next generation. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, leading to evolutionary changes.

Natural selection acts on existing variations within a population. These variations arise through random mutations in genetic material and can influence an organism's ability to survive and reproduce. It is important to understand that evolution is not about individual organisms changing within their lifetimes; rather, it is a gradual process that results in changes to populations over long periods of time.

While learning can play a role in how individual organisms adapt to their environment, it does not constitute evolution itself, which requires genetic changes passed down through generations. Environmental factors do influence which traits are selected for or against but do not cause evolution without the mechanism of heredity. Additionally, evolution does not only occur when a species goes extinct; it is an ongoing process that involves the adaptation and change of populations over time, regardless of whether some species remain extant.