speciation Flashcards
1
Q
What is speciation?
A
The formation of a new species due to genetic changes over time.
2
Q
What is the biological species concept?
A
A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
3
Q
Why is variation important for speciation?
A
Variation increases the chance of a species surviving and adapting to environmental changes.
4
Q
What is geographic speciation?
A
When a population is divided by a physical barrier, and each group evolves separately into different species.
5
Q
What causes geographic isolation?
A
Physical barriers such as rivers, oceans, mountains, or natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
6
Q
What is a speciation event in a cladogram?
A
A point where one species splits into two, shown by a branching line on the tree.
