Evolution

Evolution is the process of how organisms change over time as they adapt to their environment and pass down genetic traits to their offspring. It is the basis of all life on Earth, and has been occurring since the first living organisms appeared 3.7 billion years ago. An example of evolution is the finches observed by Charles Darwin on the Galapagos Islands in the 1800s. The finches were initially all the same size, but over time they adapted to the different habitats on the islands, with some becoming larger and some smaller. Today, scientists study fossils to understand how organisms have changed over time and developed new features. For example, certain species of fish have developed legs over time, allowing them to move out of the water and onto land. Evolution is an ongoing process, and it can occur rapidly or slowly depending on the environment. It is estimated that over 99% of all species that ever lived on Earth are now extinct, and the ones that remain have adapted to survive in their habitats. Fun Fact: The ostrich is the fastest two-legged animal on the planet. It can run at speeds of up to 43 miles per hour. This is a result of evolution, as its ancestors adapted to survive in their environment and passed down the traits needed to run quickly.