Question

In evolutionary terms, can we say which among bacteria, spiders, fish and chimpanzees have a better body design? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Hint: Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and relies on the process of natural selection. The concept of evolution is based on the theory that all species are related and over time they gradually change.

Complete answer:
Evolution is a gradual phenomenon. According to it, the organisms that we see today have evolved in many years and they are more fit and better adapted than their ancestors. All of them are better than one another in how or other, all of them have evolved to be best for the habitat they occupy or ecological role they occupy. Hence, it can't be said that in evolutionary terms, any organism among bacteria, spiders, fish and chimpanzees have a 'better' body design. All of them are better for the actual lifestyle and habitat they need to be evolved for.

Additional information:
A body plan or design may be a group of structural and developmental characteristics which we need in order to identify a gaggle of animals. These follow set patterns associated with symmetry. The far better body design is one which has more complexity and more controls which provides the animal with a far better chance at survival.
Although it's obvious that out of the four (bacteria, spiders, fish and chimpanzee) chimpanzees feature a far more organized and elaborate body design in evolutionary terms. However, since body design is supposed for competitive survival of a specific animal in their particular environment, all the four species given above have a body design that's compatible with their respective environments.

Note:
Evolution shouldn't be equated with progress or any better quality than body design. Evolution simply creates a more complex body design. And this doesn't mean that straightforward body design is inefficient. For instance, bacteria have a very simple body but still are the most cosmopolitan organism found in the world. They can survive deep sea, thermal spring, and even icy-cold freezing environments.
So, we will not really say there is a better body design as these organisms evolved within a variety of different environments and made changes in their structure consistent with "Their" need.