Final answer:
The purpose of evolution and natural selection is to drive the diversity and unity of life. Evolution is the process of change that all living organisms undergo, while natural selection is a major mechanism of evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of evolution and natural selection is to drive the diversity and unity of life. Evolution is the process of change that all living organisms undergo, while natural selection is a major mechanism of evolution. It acts on existing variations in a population, selecting individuals with traits that are advantageous for survival and reproduction.
For example, consider a population of moths with varying wing colors. In an environment with light-colored trees, moths with light-colored wings are better camouflaged and have a higher chance of survival. Over time, through natural selection, the frequency of light-colored wing moths in the population will increase.
Evolution has no purpose in the sense of a grand plan; it is simply the result of various forces, including natural selection, acting on genetic and phenotypic variation in populations. It is through these processes that life on Earth has diversified and adapted to different environments.