AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Answer and Explanation: Evolution is considered a scientific theory because, through the scientific method, it is an explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large body of well-substantiated facts.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hence, evolutionary theory is universal because it includes all (living and fossil) biological diversity and has implications for all heritable characteristics of life. Since 1859, evolutionary theory has become the most universal and, hence, widely tested of the scientific theories in biology.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hence, evolution is both a theory and a set of established facts that the theory explains. Like every other science, there is scientific debate about some aspects of evolution, but none of these debates appear likely to shake the foundations of this field.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fossil evidence supports evolution. These specimens provided evidence that species existing in the past were very similar to species living during Darwin’s time. For example, the fossil of an extinct animal called the glyptodon resembles the modern armadillo, an animal found today in South America.