Final answer:
Evolution is the change in characteristics of living things over time through natural selection, while coevolution is the mutual evolutionary influence between two species in close ecological relationships. Evolutionary changes are driven by environmental pressures, genetic variation, and are not necessarily tied to another species, unlike in coevolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between evolution and coevolution is that evolution refers to the change in characteristics of living things over time, which occurs through natural selection and genetic variation, while coevolution involves the influence of closely associated species on each other's adaptation. In coevolution, as one species undergoes evolutionary changes, it affects the evolution of another species typically involved in a close ecological relationship. Evolution, on the other hand, can occur in response to a variety of environmental pressures and is not necessarily tied to changes in a specific other species.
Evolution does not have a predetermined goal of creating superior beings but is rather a response to changing environments, ensuring that species develop adaptations that maximize their reproductive success under current conditions. It's important to note that evolution can result in new species over time but does not always do so, as it can occur within the same species without leading to speciation.