Question 1

Which of the following best describes the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

A group of populations whose members have the potential to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a postzygotic reproductive barrier?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

It does not account for gene flow between populations.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates habitat isolation as a prezygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Two species of snakes live in the same region but one lives in water and the other on land.

Question 6

Polyploidy is most likely to result in speciation in which group of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Plants

Question 7

Which of the following equations represents the chromosome number of an allopolyploid hybrid formed from species A ($$2n = 6) $$and species B ($$2n = 4) $$after chromosome doubling?

Accepted Answer

$$2n = 10$$

Question 8

Which of the following is a likely outcome when two closely related species meet in a hybrid zone and hybrids are less fit than the parent species?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement of reproductive barriers

Question 9

Which species concept defines a species as the smallest group of individuals on a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic species concept

Question 10

A mule is the offspring of a horse and a donkey. Mules are generally sterile. Which type of reproductive barrier does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 11

Which of the following best describes punctuated equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

A model in which species remain unchanged for long periods, interrupted by brief periods of rapid change.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of behavioral isolation?

Accepted Answer

Two species of birds have different courtship dances.

Question 13

Which of the following is a possible outcome for a hybrid zone over time?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement, fusion, or stability

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a prezygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid viability

Question 15

Which process is most likely to lead to sympatric speciation in animals?

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why the morphological species concept can be problematic?

Accepted Answer

It relies on subjective criteria for defining species.

Question 17

If two populations of the same species are separated by a mountain range and accumulate genetic differences over time, what is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of gametic isolation?

Accepted Answer

Sperm of one species cannot fertilize eggs of another species.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about speciation rates is supported by the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Speciation can occur rapidly or slowly, depending on the group.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes hybrid breakdown?

Accepted Answer

First-generation hybrids are fertile, but their offspring are feeble or sterile.

Speciation: Mechanisms and Concepts

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