How do animals evolve?

Question

This probably sounds like a stupid question but, how do animals evolve over time? Is it because their genes change? Also, why have they evolved?

Here's another weird question regarding evolution.. do you think it is possible that humans can evolve even further? If so, what do you think we would be like?

I can't help asking these questions.. I find it really interesting. :P

Answer 1

as u hav read bout theory of evolution.dere ws nt a single factor responsible for evolution.,like genetic varietion only.dere r various othr facts like somatic variation,change in atmosphere,adaptation,das DARWIN SAID -STRUGGLE 4 EXISTANCE N SURVIVLE OF FITTEST.      YES ,as u know change z law of nature dats y human woud evolve even further.dat human woud like, having no hairs, havin large cranial capacity,more active,more intellectual.only dat muc i cn predict.

Answer 2

It is both very simple and very complicated.  It is complicated because the world is complicated and there are so many exceptions to most rules.  We have something in all of our cells that is like a blueprint for how we are put together.  It is called DNA and that is how our bodies make proteins.  Proteins are what makes us work and mostly what gives us our form.  They are the key substance of life and most intimately involved with evolution and DNA.  DNA makes copies of itself but very rarely there is an error in the copying process.  That makes the protein slightly different.  If it is better it will be passed on as a beneficial mutation and all of the descendants will benefit by having a better protein.  Over vast amounts of time organisms keep adjusting themselves to better fit their environments.  The way that happens is called natural selection or survival of the fittest.  In its most basic form, it just means that those best suited for their environment reproduce better and increase in numbers over time.  Those that are not as fit will lose out in the long run and essentially die out.

Humans cannot help but evolve.  We may not change our basic form much but the chemistry of life will change us over time.  I tend to think that humans will not change much.  I think we are like crocodiles and pretty ideally suited for what we do.  Only time will tell and it is not really possible to know what direction evolution will take.