Genetic drift is a process that causes random changes in the frequency of genes within a population. This can occur due to chance events, especially in small populations, where certain traits may become more or less common over time. For example, if a few individuals with a specific trait happen to survive and reproduce, that trait may become more prevalent, regardless of its advantage or disadvantage. Unlike natural selection, which favors traits that improve survival and reproduction, genetic drift is purely random. It can lead to the loss of genetic diversity, as some alleles may disappear entirely from the population. This randomness can significantly impact the evolution of species over generations.