What are the four statements of Darwin's theory of natural selection?

The correct statement from Darwin's theory of natural selection is that organisms produce more offspring than can survive. This concept is fundamental to understanding natural selection, as it highlights the idea that within any given population, the number of offspring produced tends to exceed the capacity of the environment to support them. This results in competition for resources, where not all young will survive to adulthood.

This overproduction sets the stage for natural selection because those offspring will exhibit variations among them. Some of these variations may provide certain individuals with advantages that make them more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to the gradual evolution of species over time, as advantageous traits become more common in the population.

The other statements do not align with Darwin's principles. For instance, while some variations might decrease an organism's chances of survival, this is not a key component of the theory. Additionally, variations within a species are not always harmful; in fact, many variations can be beneficial and drive evolution. Understanding the balance between overproduction and survival is crucial in grasping the mechanisms of natural selection.