What is Darwin's theory of evolution and how does it apply to human evolution? What is natural selection?
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution states that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to survive and reproduce in their environment. In other words, species change over time through the process of natural selection, with those individuals best adapted to their environment being more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.
When applied to human evolution, Darwin's theory suggests that human ancestors evolved over millions of years through a series of adaptations to their changing environments. For example, early hominids developed traits such as bipedalism, tool use, and larger brain size that helped them survive and thrive in their respective habitats. As humans spread across different environments around the world, they continued to evolve and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits that are better suited to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing on those advantageous traits to their offspring. Over time, these traits become more common in the population, leading to evolutionary change. Natural selection acts as a driving force in evolution, shaping the diversity of life on earth and leading to the development of new species.