Evolution is the process through which populations of organisms change over successive generations through variations in their traits, influenced by natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. It explains the diversity of life on Earth, showing how species adapt to their environments and how new species arise from common ancestors.
At its core, evolution relies on the principle of natural selection, which posits that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations. Over time, these changes can lead to significant differences in populations, resulting in speciation—the formation of new species.
Overall, evolution is a fundamental concept in biology that provides insight into the development of life and the interconnectedness of all living organisms.