Random genetic mutations occur to help organisms better survive and
reproduce (fitness), the more fit an organism is, the more likely it will
survive. These mutations result in traits (like more fur) that could be
beneficial, or traits that could end up not being beneficial (skin cancer).
But natural selection can only act on traits that already exist in the
population. Which statement best expresses how variable traits (perhaps
only seen in a small fraction of the population) become adaptations seen
in a majority of the population? *