Question 1

What is evolution?

Accepted Answer

Evolution is a long process where plants and animals slowly change over time. It's like a really long game of 'telephone' where each player changes the message a little bit.

Question 2

Why does evolution happen?

Accepted Answer

Evolution happens because living things need to adapt to their surroundings to survive. If they change in a way that helps them, they are more likely to live and pass on those changes.

Question 3

What are the main mechanisms of evolution?

Accepted Answer

The main ways evolution happens are called natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift. They all help living things change over time in different ways.

Question 4

What is natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection is like nature's way of picking favorites. Animals with traits that help them survive have more babies, passing those traits on more often.

Question 5

What is a mutation?

Accepted Answer

A mutation is when there's a change in the genes of a living thing. Sometimes mutations can help an animal or plant survive better, but sometimes they don't do anything at all.

Question 6

What is genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift is like a lottery where certain traits become more common just by chance. It happens when groups of animals are small or when some members move to a new place.

Question 7

What evidence do we have for evolution?

Accepted Answer

Scientists have found lots of fossils that show how animals and plants have changed over time. Also, they study DNA, which shows how closely related different species are.

Question 8

What are fossils?

Accepted Answer

Fossils are the remains or traces of plants and animals that lived a long, long time ago. They are like nature's old photographs.

Question 9

How do fossils show evolution?

Accepted Answer

Fossils show us how creatures that lived millions of years ago look a bit like the animals we see today. They help us figure out how living things have changed over time.

Question 10

What is DNA and how does it relate to evolution?

Accepted Answer

DNA is a tiny code inside every living thing that tells it how to grow and function. By comparing the DNA of different creatures, scientists can see how they are related and how they've evolved.

Question 11

Why are some animals very different from their ancestors?

Accepted Answer

Some animals are very different because they've had to change a lot to survive. Over millions of years, tiny changes add up, leading to big differences.

Question 12

Can evolution happen quickly?

Accepted Answer

Usually, evolution is very slow, but sometimes changes can happen quickly if the environment changes fast. In some cases, species adapt more rapidly to survive.

Question 13

Do humans evolve?

Accepted Answer

Yes, humans are still evolving, but changes happen slowly over many generations. In the past, humans evolved from ancient ancestors who looked very different from us.

Question 14

Why do some animals go extinct?

Accepted Answer

Some animals go extinct because they can't adapt to changes in their environment or compete with other species. Extinction is a natural part of evolution.

Question 15

What impact does evolution have on us today?

Accepted Answer

Evolution impacts us by helping us understand where we came from and how we're related to other living things. It also helps scientists learn more about diseases and how to treat them.

Question 16

What is an example of a living thing evolving today?

Accepted Answer

One example is bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics. They change quickly to survive the medicines we use to kill them.

Question 17

Can plants evolve too?

Accepted Answer

Yes, plants evolve just like animals do. They adapt to their environments to survive better, like trees developing thicker bark to protect against fires.

Question 18

What is 'survival of the fittest'?

Accepted Answer

'Survival of the fittest' means that only the strongest or best-adapted animals and plants survive and reproduce. It's like a race where only the fastest runners win medals and get to pass on their speed.

Question 19

Why do some creatures look similar even if they aren't related?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes unrelated creatures look alike because they live in similar environments and adapt in similar ways. It's like wearing the same kind of clothes in winter to stay warm.

Question 20

Can people control evolution in any way?

Accepted Answer

Yes, people can control evolution with things like selective breeding. For example, farmers have bred plants and animals for certain traits, like sweeter fruit or fluffier pets.

The Process of Evolution: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Impact - 20 FAQs Explained Simply