Final answer:
Life on Earth, ranging from single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms, has evolved over billions of years. The process of evolution, beginning with simple life forms, allowed for the diversity we see today, including plants, animals, and humans that appeared relatively recently in Earth's history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The different kinds of living organisms that have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the Earth include single-celled organisms like bacteria and archaea, and complex multicellular organisms such as plants, animals, and fungi. This vast diversity is a result of the process of evolution, which began with microorganisms about 3.5 to 4 billion years ago. Gradually, life on Earth evolved to form multicellular organisms, setting the stage for diverse life forms including mammals, birds, and flowers, which appeared 130 to 250 million years ago. Humans, as a species, made their appearance on Earth about 2.5 million years ago and only in the last 300,000 years have they started to look like modern humans.
Initially, life on Earth consisted of simple, single-celled organisms. This simplicity allowed for the gradual evolution of more complex organisms. Approximately 610 million years ago, the first multicellular organisms emerged. Shortly after, during an era known as the Cambrian Explosion, a significant number of different organisms evolved rapidly due to environmental changes that favored greater biodiversity.
Evolution is not just confined to the past; it is an ongoing process. As environmental conditions change, new species may evolve while others may become extinct. This process has resulted in the variety of life we see today, from microscopic bacteria to complex human beings.