What are the main processes through which evolution occurs?

The correct choice identifies the major mechanisms by which evolutionary change occurs in populations.

Natural selection is a fundamental process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the propagation of those traits in the population. Random change, or genetic drift, refers to shifts in allele frequencies due to chance events, particularly in small populations, which can significantly influence genetic diversity. Mutation introduces new genetic variations into a population, creating the raw material for evolution as these new traits can be acted upon by natural selection. Immigration and emigration affect the genetic makeup of populations by adding or removing individuals and alleles, thereby influencing evolutionary trajectories.

This comprehensive view encapsulates the essential processes of evolution, emphasizing the dynamic interplay of genetic variation, survival, and population dynamics. Other choices contain terms and concepts that, while tangentially related to evolution, do not encompass the primary mechanisms recognized in evolutionary biology.