Speciation

Front

What is speciation?

Back

Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.

Front

What happens when species produce too many offspring?

Back

Only those that are best fit can survive.

Front

What occurs when a population becomes divided by an event such as a new river forming?

Back

Isolation has occurred.

Front

What must happen for a new species to evolve?

Back

Isolation, Adaptation, and Differentiation must occur.

Front

What causes variations in a population?

Back

Variations are caused by Random Mutations.

Front

What did Charles Darwin observe about finches in the Galapagos Islands?

Back

He found that there were slight differences in finches from island to island, and the shape of their beaks varied.

Front

Define natural selection.

Back

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is adaptation in the context of speciation?

Back

Adaptation is the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.

Front

What is the role of isolation in speciation?

Back

Isolation prevents gene flow between populations, allowing them to evolve independently.

Front

What is differentiation in biological terms?

Back

Differentiation refers to the process by which populations evolve distinct traits.