Speciation

Front

What is a species?

Back

A group of organisms that can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring.

Front

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

Back

Isolation.

Front

What is genetic drift?

Back

Any change in the allelic frequencies in a population that is due to chance.

Front

What causes variations in a population?

Back

Random Mutations.

Front

What type of reproductive barrier is represented by the genitalia of the male damselfly varying in shape?

Back

Mechanical isolation.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

Define adaptation in the context of evolution.

Back

A trait that increases an organism's fitness in its environment.

Front

What is the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?

Back

Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically isolated, while sympatric speciation occurs without geographic separation.

Front

What role do mutations play in evolution?

Back

Mutations introduce new genetic variations that can be acted upon by natural selection.

Front

What is the significance of reproductive isolation in speciation?

Back

Reproductive isolation prevents different species from interbreeding, allowing for the development of distinct species.