Which concept explains that individuals vary from generation to generation, influenced by genetic makeup?

The concept that best explains variation among individuals across generations due to genetic makeup is evolution. Evolution encompasses the processes through which populations of organisms change over time, guided by mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation.

Natural selection is a key mechanism within the broader framework of evolution that specifically addresses how certain traits become more common within a population based on their advantages for survival and reproduction in a given environment. While natural selection certainly plays a significant role in the evolutionary process by favoring advantageous traits, it is part of the larger concept of evolution, which includes the overall changes and variations that occur in a species over long periods.

Therefore, evolution is the overarching concept that encapsulates genetic variation across generations, influenced by a variety of factors, including natural selection. This understanding allows scientists to study how species adapt over time to changing environments, leading to the diversity of life we observe today.