Evolution is the process of change in inherited characteristics of living things over generations. All life on Earth descended from a common ancestor. Phenotypic plasticity refers to changes in an organism's traits in response to the environment, allowing them to adapt to varying conditions within their lifespan. It can provide an evolutionary advantage for immobile organisms like plants or traits influenced by predictable environmental changes. Examples of phenotypic plasticity include plants altering photosynthesis or growth in response to water stress, and gray wolves expressing different behaviors based on climate.