Question 1

Which of the following best describes the Biological Species Concept (BSC)?

Accepted Answer

Species are defined by their ability to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Question 2

A population of birds is separated by the formation of a mountain range. Over time, the two groups develop distinct songs and cannot interbreed when brought together. Which speciation mechanism does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation via vicariance

Question 3

Which process is most likely to increase genetic variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Question 4

According to the gradualism model of speciation, which of the following conditions is most likely to result in slow, continuous evolutionary change?

Accepted Answer

Large population size and weak, variable selective pressures

Question 5

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the Morphological Species Concept (MSC)?

Accepted Answer

It may fail to recognize cryptic species that differ in non-morphological traits.

Question 6

A plant species undergoes genome duplication due to a meiotic error, resulting in a new population with double the chromosome number. What type of polyploidy is this?

Accepted Answer

Autopolyploidy

Question 7

Which evolutionary process tends to reduce genetic variation between populations?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Question 8

After secondary contact, two populations produce hybrids with lower fitness than either parent population. What is the most likely evolutionary outcome?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement of reproductive isolation

Question 9

Which of the following equations represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for allele frequencies in a population?

Accepted Answer

$$p^2 + 2pq$$ + $$q^2 = 1$

Question 10

Which scenario best illustrates sympatric speciation?

Accepted Answer

A subset of insects in the same forest begins to feed and mate exclusively on a new plant species.

Question 11

Which of the following is a postzygotic isolating mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid sterility

Question 12

Why is speciation via polyploidy more common in plants than in animals?

Accepted Answer

Polyploid plants tolerate higher levels of self-fertilization and heterozygosity.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a monophyletic group in the Phylogenetic Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

A group consisting of one ancestor and all its descendants.

Question 14

Which of the following is most likely to occur if two partially divergent populations come into secondary contact and hybrids have higher fitness than either parent population?

Accepted Answer

Formation of a stable hybrid zone or new species

Question 15

Which evolutionary process is most important in small populations and can lead to random changes in allele frequencies?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Question 16

A population of insects splits into two groups due to disruptive selection for extreme phenotypes. Over time, these groups become reproductively isolated. What type of speciation is this?

Accepted Answer

Sympatric speciation

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a challenge of using the Biological Species Concept?

Accepted Answer

It is subjective in selecting morphological traits.

Question 18

Which of the following mechanisms can lead to instantaneous speciation in plants?

Accepted Answer

Polyploidy

Question 19

Which of the following statements about gene flow is correct?

Accepted Answer

Gene flow reduces genetic differences between populations.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world example of reinforcement after secondary contact?

Accepted Answer

Two populations of birds meet, but hybrids have lower fitness and mating between them decreases over time.

Speciation: Mechanisms, Concepts, and Evolutionary Processes

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard