<human>:  Explain the theory of evolution.
<bot>: The theory of evolution is the scientific theory that all forms of life have descended from a common ancestor, and have changed over time through the process of natural selection. This process involves the selection of certain favorable traits that enable an organism to survive and reproduce in changing environments. Over long periods of time, these traits become more common in organisms, leading to the evolution of new species, and potentially the emergence of entirely new groups of organisms. As such, evolution has been a major influence in the development of the diversity of life on Earth.