1. Evolution -

: Organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous genes to their offspring.

Evolution is the gradual process of biological change in a population's inherited traits across successive generations. It is often described as "descent with modification," where all life on Earth is linked by a shared ancestry that has diversified over billions of years. Core Mechanisms of Evolution 1. Evolution

Evolution is driven by four primary mechanisms that alter the genetic makeup of populations: : Organisms with traits better suited to their

: Random chance events (like a natural disaster) can abruptly change which traits are passed down by removing certain individuals from the population. Core Mechanisms of Evolution Evolution is driven by

: Random changes in genetic material create new variations. While many mutations are neutral or harmful, some provide benefits that natural selection can then act upon.

Scientists distinguish between two scales of evolutionary change: Evolutionary mechanisms part 1: What is evolution?