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Introduction to Speciation quiz #3 Flashcards

Introduction to Speciation quiz #3
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  • Which statement does not describe geographic isolation?

    Geographic isolation does not involve differences in mating rituals; it involves physical barriers separating populations.
  • When does behavioral isolation occur?

    Behavioral isolation occurs when species have different mating behaviors that prevent interbreeding.
  • What are three types of barriers that can lead to reproductive isolation?

    Three types of barriers are temporal isolation, behavioral isolation, and geographic isolation.
  • Which of the following is an example of geographic isolation?

    An example of geographic isolation is a river separating two populations of animals.
  • What is geographical isolation?

    Geographical isolation is a form of reproductive isolation where physical barriers prevent species from interbreeding.
  • Which of the following factors are involved in the formation of a new species?

    Factors involved in speciation include reproductive isolation and genetic divergence.
  • When does geographic isolation occur?

    Geographic isolation occurs when physical barriers separate populations, preventing interbreeding.
  • Which mechanism of reproductive isolation causes postzygotic isolation?

    Postzygotic isolation is caused by mechanisms like hybrid inviability and hybrid sterility.
  • According to the phylogenetic species concept, what defines a species?

    The phylogenetic species concept defines a species based on its unique evolutionary history and genetic makeup.
  • In which situation is speciation most likely to occur?

    Speciation is most likely to occur in situations of geographic isolation or disruptive selection.
  • Which of the following are prevented by prezygotic isolating mechanisms?

    Prezygotic isolating mechanisms prevent the formation of a zygote between different species.
  • What are two examples of a postzygotic barrier?

    Two examples of postzygotic barriers are hybrid inviability and hybrid sterility.
  • Which of the following pairs are not considered the same species?

    Pairs that cannot interbreed and produce viable offspring are not considered the same species.
  • Which statement is true about speciation on island archipelagos?

    Speciation on island archipelagos is often rapid due to geographic isolation and diverse ecological niches.
  • Which isolating mechanism is postzygotic?

    Hybrid sterility is a postzygotic isolating mechanism.
  • Which of the following is not a type of prezygotic reproductive barrier?

    Hybrid inviability is not a prezygotic barrier; it is a postzygotic barrier.
  • What factor can cause two populations to become reproductively isolated?

    Factors like geographic barriers, behavioral differences, and temporal differences can cause reproductive isolation.
  • What is speciation in the context of evolutionary biology?

    Speciation is the process by which an ancestral species splits into two or more distinct species.
  • What is reproductive isolation and why is it important in speciation?

    Reproductive isolation refers to mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding, which is crucial for maintaining species boundaries and enabling speciation.
  • What are postzygotic barriers in reproductive isolation?

    Postzygotic barriers occur after fertilization and result in non-viable or sterile hybrids, preventing gene flow between species.
  • What is sympatric speciation and how does it differ from allopatric speciation?

    Sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographic area, often through mechanisms like disruptive selection or polyploidy, unlike allopatric speciation which requires geographic isolation.
  • What is a hybrid zone in the context of speciation?

    A hybrid zone is a region where members of different species meet and mate, producing hybrids.
  • How does reinforcement affect hybrid zones?

    Reinforcement increases reproductive isolation, reducing the formation of hybrids and strengthening species boundaries.
  • What does stability mean in a hybrid zone?

    Stability means that hybrids continue to be produced, but the parent species remain distinct and do not merge.
  • Why is defining a species considered a 'fuzzy art'?

    Defining a species is challenging because no single definition applies universally, and the process of speciation can be gradual and complex.
  • Why might it be difficult to determine when speciation has fully occurred?

    Speciation is a gradual process, and intermediate stages can make it hard to judge when populations have become distinct species.
  • How can hybridization affect the process of speciation?

    Hybridization can blur species boundaries, sometimes leading to the formation of new species or the merging of existing ones.
  • What is microevolution and how does it contribute to speciation?

    Microevolution involves small genetic changes within populations, which can accumulate and eventually lead to reproductive isolation and speciation.
  • What is the main criterion for distinguishing two populations as separate species under the biological species concept?

    The main criterion is reproductive isolation, meaning the populations cannot interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring.
  • What is the role of natural selection in speciation?

    Natural selection can drive divergence between populations by favoring different traits, contributing to reproductive isolation and speciation.
  • What is meant by the term 'viable, fertile offspring' in the biological species concept?

    Viable, fertile offspring are those that survive to adulthood and can themselves reproduce, ensuring gene flow within a species.
  • What is an example of a prezygotic barrier?

    An example is temporal isolation, where species breed at different times, preventing mating.
  • How can polyploidy result in instant speciation?

    Polyploidy creates individuals with extra chromosome sets, making them reproductively isolated from the parent population and forming a new species.
  • How does the process of speciation contribute to biodiversity?

    Speciation increases biodiversity by generating new species, each adapted to different environments or niches.
  • Why is speciation considered a process rather than a single event?

    Speciation involves gradual accumulation of genetic differences and reproductive barriers, making it a continuous process.
  • What is the significance of reproductive isolation in the formation of new species?

    Reproductive isolation prevents gene flow, allowing populations to evolve independently and form new species.
  • What is the role of genetic drift in speciation?

    Genetic drift can cause random changes in allele frequencies, leading to divergence and potentially speciation, especially in small populations.