Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

23. Speciation

Introduction to Speciation

General Biology

23. Speciation

Introduction to Speciation

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0:36 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

Select True or False to indicate which of the following groups could be identified using the biological species concept.
T/F lizard species living today
T/F sunflower species living today
T/F extinct dinosaurs
T/F bacteria living today

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the biological species concept: It defines a species as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in natural conditions.

Consider lizard species living today: Since they are living organisms, we can observe their ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, making it possible to identify them using the biological species concept.

Consider sunflower species living today: Like lizards, sunflowers are living organisms, and their ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring can be observed, allowing identification using the biological species concept.

Consider extinct dinosaurs: Since they are extinct, we cannot observe their ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, making it impossible to identify them using the biological species concept.

Consider bacteria living today: Bacteria reproduce asexually, which does not fit the biological species concept that relies on sexual reproduction and interbreeding, making it challenging to identify them using this concept.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Biological Species Concept

The Biological Species Concept defines a species as a group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in natural conditions. This concept emphasizes reproductive isolation as a key factor in maintaining species boundaries. It is most applicable to sexually reproducing organisms and is less useful for asexual organisms or fossils.

Reproductive Isolation

Reproductive isolation is a collection of mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding. These mechanisms can be prezygotic, such as temporal or behavioral isolation, or postzygotic, such as hybrid sterility. Reproductive isolation is crucial for the Biological Species Concept, as it maintains the genetic distinctiveness of species.

Limitations of the Biological Species Concept

The Biological Species Concept has limitations, particularly with asexual organisms, fossils, and species that hybridize. It cannot be applied to extinct species like dinosaurs, as reproductive behaviors cannot be observed. Similarly, it is not suitable for bacteria, which reproduce asexually and do not fit the interbreeding criterion.

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Textbook Question

What determines the primary structure of a DNA molecule?

a. Stem-and-loop configuration

b. Complementary base pairing

c. Deoxyribonucleotide sequence

d. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding

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What type of bond is directly involved in the formation of an α-helix?

a. Peptide bonds between amino acid residues

b. Hydrogen bonds between amino acid residues

c. Van der Waals interactions between nonpolar residues

d. Disulfide bonds between cysteine residues

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Textbook Question

According to the punctuated equilibria model:

a. Given enough time, most existing species will branch gradually into new species.

b. Most new species accumulate their unique features relatively rapidly as they come into existence, then change little for the rest of their duration as a species.

c. Most evolution occurs in sympatric populations.

d. Speciation is usually due to a single mutation.

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Textbook Question

Which concept of species would be most useful to a field biologist identifying new plant species in a tropical forest?

a. Biological

b. Ecological

c. Morphological

d. Phylogenetic

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Textbook Question

Molecular zip codes direct molecules to particular destinations in the cell. How are these signals read?

a. They bind to receptor proteins.

b. They enter transport vesicles.

c. They bind to motor proteins.

d. They are glycosylated by enzymes.

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Textbook Question

What type of information is used to direct different polypeptides to fold into different shapes?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is an example of a prefertilization barrier to reproduction?

a. A female mammal is unable to carry a hybrid offspring to term

b. Hybrid plants produce only sterile pollen

c. A hybrid between two bird species cannot perform a mating display

d. A male fly of one species performs a 'wing-waving' display that does not convince a female of another species to mate with him

e. A hybrid embryo is not able to complete development

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Textbook Question

Bird guides once listed the myrtle warbler and Audubon's warbler as distinct species. Recently, these birds have been classified as eastern and western forms of a single species, the yellow-rumped warbler. Which of the following pieces of evidence, if true, would be cause for this reclassification?

a. The two forms interbreed often in nature, and their offspring survive and reproduce well.

b. The two forms live in similar habitats and have similar food requirements.

c. The two forms have many genes in common.

d. The two forms are very similar in appearance.

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