Which of the following statements comes closest to describing the principle central to Darwin's idea of natural selection? Select one: a. Humans evolved from the apes. b. People prefer to mate with the most attractive members of the opposite sex, selecting their mates according to natural factors related to physical attractiveness. c. Nature selects the particular individuals that have the best characteristics and these individuals are allowed to interbreed with each other,thereby creating the strongest offspring d. Individuals within a species vary, and those with the best adapted characteristics survive to reproduce, thereby passing their genes to future generations.

The correct answer is d. Individuals within a species vary, and those with the best adapted characteristics survive to reproduce, thereby passing their genes to future generations.<br /><br />Darwin's idea of natural selection is based on the concept that individuals within a species exhibit variations in their physical and behavioral traits. These variations can affect an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in their environment. Those individuals with traits that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring. Over time, these traits become more common within the population, leading to evolutionary change.