What does the theory of evolution tell us about how organisms adapt to their environment over time?

Natural selection occurs before changes in the environment.

A population changes in response to a change in the environment.

Environmental changes can be predicted based on changes in a population.

Natural selection leads to the survival of the population with the most complex traits.

A population changes in response to a change in the environment.

The theory of evolution, proposed by Charles Darwin, tells us that organisms adapt to their environment over time through the process of natural selection. Natural selection is the driving force behind evolutionary change. It occurs before changes in the environment.

To answer this question, we need to understand how natural selection works. It starts with variation within a population. Organisms within a population possess different traits, some of which may be beneficial for survival in a particular environment. These traits can be inherited and passed on to future generations.

When the environment changes, certain traits may become more advantageous or disadvantageous. Organisms with beneficial traits have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing those traits on to their offspring. This creates a gradual shift in the population's characteristics over time, as more individuals possess the advantageous traits.

Therefore, the theory of evolution tells us that a population changes in response to a change in the environment. It does not predict or determine changes in the environment itself. Instead, it shows how organisms adapt to changes in their environment through natural selection.

It's also important to note that natural selection does not necessarily lead to the survival of the population with the most complex traits. It favors traits that increase an organism's fitness, or ability to survive and reproduce. Sometimes, simplicity can be advantageous, depending on the environment and the selective pressures acting upon the population.

In summary, the theory of evolution tells us that organisms adapt to their environment over time through natural selection, which leads to changes in populations in response to changes in the environment.