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 in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a prezygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Temporal isolation

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid fertility

Question 4

Which process is most likely to result in the sudden appearance of a new plant species within a single generation?

Accepted Answer

Polyploidy

Question 5

In which scenario would the morphological species concept be most useful?

Accepted Answer

Classifying fossil organisms

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

It can be applied to all prokaryotes.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why the Hawaiian Islands have many unique species?

Accepted Answer

The islands are highly isolated, promoting allopatric speciation.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of habitat isolation?

Accepted Answer

Two species of flies lay eggs on different host plants.

Question 9

A hybrid zone is most likely to persist when:

Accepted Answer

Gene flow from outside the hybrid zone overwhelms selection for reproductive isolation.

Question 10

Which of the following is a likely outcome if hybrids are less fit than parent species in a hybrid zone?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement

Question 11

Which of the following equations correctly represents the chromosome number in an allopolyploid formed from two species with diploid numbers $$2n = 6$$ and $$2n = 4$$ after chromosome doubling?

Accepted Answer

$$2n = 10$$

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates sympatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A population of flies begins to mate and lay eggs on a new type of fruit within the same geographic area.

Question 13

Which of the following is a postzygotic barrier?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hybrid viability

Question 14

Which model of speciation is supported by the fossil record showing long periods of stasis interrupted by sudden changes?

Accepted Answer

Punctuated equilibria

Question 15

Which of the following is most likely to drive sympatric speciation in cichlid fish in Lake Victoria?

Accepted Answer

Sexual selection based on male breeding coloration

Question 16

Which of the following statements about macroevolution is correct?

Accepted Answer

Macroevolution is the cumulative effect of many speciation and extinction events.

Question 17

Which of the following is a real-world example of temporal isolation?

Accepted Answer

Western spotted skunks mate in summer, while eastern spotted skunks mate in winter.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why gene flow is important in the biological species concept?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow holds a species together genetically.

Question 19

Which of the following is a likely consequence if two populations become geographically isolated and experience different selective pressures?

Accepted Answer

They may diverge genetically and become separate species.

Question 20

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the morphological species concept?

Accepted Answer

It relies on subjective criteria.

The Origin of Species: Mechanisms and Patterns of Speciation

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