The Puzzle of Species Uniqueness Flashcards
Adaptions, Niches and Reproductive Isolation (20 cards)
Define adaptions (in relation to biology)
traits that suit an environment
Define niches
the species unique role and place in an ecosystem
Define reproductive isolation
barriers that prevent interbreeding between species
How do we define species?
appearance, homology, and phylogenetics
Define homology
Comparing whether a species has the same structure and body plan
Define phylogenetics
Comparing how similar a species genetic code sequence is
Define pre zygotic
when a species or two species are unable to create a zygote (aka, reproduce)
Define post zygotic
When a species is unable to produce fertile offspring
Give THREE examples of pre-zygotic reproductive isolation
Ecological isolation, temporal isolation, mechanical isolation, behavioral isolation and gametic isolation
Define temporal isolation
When a species is in the same environment, but their mating seasons are at separate times
Define mechanical isolation
When the physical size difference of the animals prevents reproduction
Define behavioural isolation
When a species expects a specific kind of courtship that doesn’t impress another species
Give TWO examples of post-zygotic reproductive isolation
hybrid unviability and hybrid sterility (there is also hybrid breakdown but this shouldn’t be necessary to memorise)
Define hybrid inviability
When the hybrid is produced, but is unhealthy and unlikely to survive to the point that it can produce offspring
Define hybrid infertility
The hybrid was produced successfully, but does not hold the correct DNA sequences to reproduce (aka infertile)
The three types of classification for a species (taxonomy) are…
Artificial, natural and phylogenetic
Define natural classification
homology - similarity of structure of body
Define artificial classification
based on function and identifiable characteristics
List the steps to characterise species (hint: Don’t kick people coming out from grocery stores)
Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species
(REMEMBER THIS IN ORDER)
What two characterisations are a scientific name composed from?
The Genus and the species (Binominal nomenclature system)
