The Incomplete Fossil Record and Extinction
The fossil record has significant gaps, especially for early life forms. Most ancient organisms had soft bodies that decomposed completely, leaving little trace behind. Additionally, geological activity like earthquakes, volcanoes, and tectonic plate movement can destroy potential fossils before we ever find them.
Extinction means the complete disappearance of an entire species - think dodo birds, sabre-tooth tigers, or the massive megalodon shark. Once a species goes extinct, it's gone forever.
Several factors cause extinction. New predators might appear, or species may fail to adapt to changing environments. New diseases can wipe out populations, and more successful competitors might outcompete them for resources.
Sometimes mass extinction events occur - catastrophic disasters that eliminate multiple species simultaneously. These dramatic events have shaped life on Earth throughout history.
Remember: Extinction is a natural part of evolution, but human activities have dramatically increased the rate at which species disappear today.