evolution

Evolution is the process by which different species of organisms have developed and diversified over time. It is the result of changes in the genetic makeup of living beings over generations, driven by natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. Evolution explains the diversity of life on Earth, from single-celled organisms to complex multicellular species, and it is supported by a vast body of scientific evidence. The theory of evolution was first proposed by Charles Darwin in the 19th century and has since undergone numerous refinements and extensions.