Which of the following are considered the four main principles of natural selection?

The four main principles of natural selection focus on how traits are passed on and how they affect an organism's survival and reproduction over generations. The correct choice highlights the significance of variation within a population, which is essential because without variation, there is no differential selection for traits. Inheritance is also crucial, as it allows successful traits to be passed down to offspring. The high rate of population growth indicates that, while many offspring are produced, not all will survive, creating competition for resources. Finally, "survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that those individuals best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus passing on their advantageous traits.

This choice effectively encapsulates the mechanisms that drive evolutionary change through natural selection, emphasizing how genetic variations can lead to differences in survival and reproduction.