Modern humans didn't appear overnight — we're the result of millions of years of gradual change. Explore the basics of human evolution.
Charles Darwin proposed that organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, gradually shaping a species over many generations — the basis of evolution.
Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin
Human evolution progressed through several stages over millions of years, from early hominid ancestors through species like Homo habilis and Homo erectus, eventually leading to modern Homo sapiens.
What is the scientific name for modern humans?
Homo sapiens
1. Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?
2. What is the scientific name for modern humans?
3. What does 'natural selection' mean?
4. Did modern humans appear suddenly, or develop gradually over time?
5. Name one early human ancestor species that came before Homo sapiens.
6. Why are traits that help survival more likely to be passed on to future generations?
7. Is human evolution considered a completed, finished process?
8. Why is evolution typically a very slow process, occurring over many generations?
9. What kind of evidence do scientists use to study human evolution?
10. Why might a trait that was once useful to human ancestors no longer be as important today?