Which statement best sums up the modern theory of evolution?

Which statement best sums up the modern theory of evolution?

a. Over the past 3 billion years, thousands of different life forms have arisen from non-life. Each one started independently and they have changed in a random way over time.

b. Each major form of life was created less than 10,000 years ago. Since then, species have changed somewhat to better suit them to their environment.

c. Starting from one or a few life forms over 3 billion years ago, life has branched out. As life forms change, they tend to develop traits that aid their survival and reproduction.

Answer: c. Starting from one or a few life forms over 3 billion years ago, life has branched out. As life forms change, they tend to develop traits that aid their survival and reproduction.

This clearly describes the new theory of evolution which addresses evolution via natural selection and common ancestor. This theory states that all the extant life has originated on the Earth from one or several of the simple organisms that existed on Earth billions of years ago. These life forms propagated and diversified during the biological evolution that lasted through long epochs. Traits that were acquired over time and were inherited by the next generation and which had a positive influence on survival and on the ability of a character to reproduce in a given environment were selected. This has consequently resulted in a number of changes through descent with modification which have therefore resulted in all the existing variety of organisms whose origin is a common ancestor.