What is the end result of natural selection?

The end result of natural selection is that organisms of a species become more highly adapted to their environment. This process occurs because individuals with traits that provide a survival or reproductive advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits on to future generations. Over time, this leads to a population that is better suited to its specific environment, enhancing its overall fitness.

Natural selection acts on the variation present within a population, driving the evolution and adaptation of species. This can result in changes in physical characteristics, behaviors, and even physiological traits that improve an organism's ability to thrive in its ecological niche. For example, animals may develop better camouflage or more efficient foraging strategies as a response to predation or resource availability.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the outcomes of natural selection. While some species may indeed become extinct, this is often a result of failure to adapt rather than a direct consequence of natural selection itself. Additionally, stating that organisms become less adapted or that all species remain unchanged contradicts the very premise of evolution through natural selection, where change and adaptation are fundamental principles.