The Role of Genetic Variation in Evolution

Evolution is a foundational aspect of biological science, explaining how species change over time. One of the key concepts in evolution is that of genetic variation, which is essential for natural selection to occur. Genetic variation arises from mutations, gene shuffling during reproduction, and other processes. Without variation, all individuals in a population would be identical, making it difficult for any adaptations to help a population survive in changing environments.

Which of the following statements best describes the significance of genetic variation in the process of evolution?