Evolution is defined as the process by which different types of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from their earlier formation during of the history of the Earth. Evolution is why we have so many different species. The basis of evolution comes from survival of the fittest. Those who survive create offspring that are even more able to survive. The process of natural selection supports the idea of ​​survival of the fittest and plays a key role in evolution. For species to evolve, there must be diversity. When diversity is exploited, mutation occurs. Mutations are alterations that occur in genes or the result of genes failing to copy themselves correctly. At first, the mutations may appear almost non-existent to the naked eye, but over time they will become more visible. A mutation can decrease or increase the chances of survival, depending on the nature of the mutation. If the mutation survives and reproduces, then a population evolves. All of this comes into play in the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life was first seen in the 19th century, in Charles Darwin's book On the Origin of Species. In the tree, the tips of the branches show the species still alive today. The lines on the tree show the evolutionary relationships between species. Darwin stated that “Since the first growth of the tree, many limbs and branches have decayed and fallen; and all these orders, families and entire genera which today have no living representative, and which are known to us in the fossil state. Since the beginning of the Tree of Life, this has changed enormously. In the 20th century, Willi Hennig began to create his own developed and modern version of the Tree of Life. Willi Hennig used black colors...... middle of paper ......a wide variety of human disorders. Not only that, but it is a key role in agriculture. It plays a key role in identifying wild relatives of plants and animals, guiding genetic improvements and locating potential biocontrol agents. With the amount of knowledge we have today, predictions about the phylogenetic tree can be made. Predictions such as characteristics of species that have not yet been studied. Evolution dates back to the beginning of time through the remains of animals and plants found in sedimentary rock deposits. The existence of shared traits confirms that species are not fixed but can evolve into other species over time. Through the research and development of the Tree of Life, we have learned a vast amount of information about the life around us. Works Cited http://www.peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/treeoflife/learn.html