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Multiple Choice
How can natural selection contribute to the process of speciation?
A
By preventing any changes in allele frequencies within populations.
B
By favoring different traits in isolated populations, leading to reproductive isolation over time.
C
By eliminating all genetic variation within a species.
D
By causing all individuals in a population to become genetically identical.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of natural selection: Natural selection is the process by which individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to the next generation.
Recognize the role of isolated populations: Speciation often begins when populations of the same species become geographically or reproductively isolated, preventing gene flow between them.
Analyze how natural selection acts on isolated populations: In isolated populations, different environmental pressures can favor different traits, leading to divergence in allele frequencies over time.
Explain reproductive isolation: As populations diverge genetically, they may develop barriers to interbreeding, such as differences in mating behaviors, physical incompatibilities, or genetic incompatibilities, which contribute to reproductive isolation.
Connect reproductive isolation to speciation: Over time, reproductive isolation solidifies, and the populations become distinct species, completing the process of speciation.