Question 1

Which of the following best describes the Biological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

A species is a group of populations whose members can interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of pre-zygotic isolation?

Accepted Answer

Two species of frogs breed in different seasons and never mate.

Question 3

A botanist discovers two populations of plants that look identical but do not interbreed in nature due to different pollinators. Which species concept would best distinguish these as separate species?

Accepted Answer

Biological Species Concept

Question 4

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the Morphological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

It relies on subjective criteria and may group cryptic species together.

Question 5

Which process is most likely responsible for the formation of polyploid species in plants?

Accepted Answer

Sympatric speciation via polyploidization

Question 6

A population of birds is separated by a newly formed river. Over time, the two groups diverge genetically and can no longer interbreed. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 7

Which of the following equations best represents the concept of reproductive isolation in the Biological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

$R = 1 - \frac{2F_{hybrid}}{F_{parent1} + F_{parent2}}$

Question 8

Which scenario best illustrates post-zygotic isolation?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid offspring of two fish species are sterile and cannot reproduce.

Question 9

Which of the following is a limitation of the Biological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

It cannot be applied to fossil species.

Question 10

A researcher uses DNA sequence data to identify the smallest group of individuals that share a common ancestor. Which species concept is being applied?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic Species Concept

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of temporal isolation as a pre-zygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Two species of crickets mate at different times of the year.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why cryptic species are difficult to identify using the Morphological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

They are reproductively isolated but look identical.

Question 13

In a hybrid zone, what is the most likely outcome if hybrids have lower fitness than either parent species?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement of reproductive barriers

Question 14

Which of the following is a real-world example of allopatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

Darwin's finches evolving on different Galápagos Islands

Question 15

Which of the following best describes sympatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

Speciation occurs without geographic isolation, often through polyploidy or disruptive selection.

Question 16

Which of the following is a key implication of the Biological Species Concept for conservation biology?

Accepted Answer

It emphasizes the importance of maintaining reproductive isolation to preserve species integrity.

Question 17

A population of insects becomes resistant to a pesticide, and over time, individuals that mate with non-resistant insects produce inviable offspring. Which type of reproductive barrier is this?

Accepted Answer

Post-zygotic isolation

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why the Phylogenetic Species Concept can result in more species being recognized compared to the Biological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

It identifies species based on unique genetic history, even if reproductive isolation is incomplete.

Question 19

Which of the following scenarios would most likely lead to reinforcement in a hybrid zone?

Accepted Answer

Hybrids have reduced fitness compared to parent species.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of mechanical isolation as a pre-zygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Two species of snails have shells that coil in opposite directions, preventing mating.

Speciation and Species Concepts: A Study Guide

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