Classification Species - Worksheet Flashcards
Define a species.
Organism is same species are similar in appearance, behaviour, biochemistry and ecological niche.
Organism in same species breed together in natural environment producing fertile offspring - can’t breed with other specie members.
Organisms in same species share a common ancestor.
How is there problems with morphology?
Common problem is 2 unrelated organisms have very similar features and niches because they are adapted to living in same environments.
Biochemical and DNA analysis can be used to find hoe closely they’re related.
How is there problems with interbreeding?
Closely related species can interbreed producing offspring which are sterile, not a viable organism.
This doesn’t apply to millions of asexually-reproducing organisms at all.
Give an example of different species which can interbreed?
Horse and donkey produce mule.
Offspring is sterile not a viable organism.
What organism is easily hybridised?
Plants in labs and zoos.
Ancestry is difficult, how has it been made possible?
Using modern DNA and protein sequence analysis - but it also has pitfalls.
How do new species arise?
When one existing species spilt into 2 re productively isolated population that go their separate ways.
How does speciation happen?
This happens when the 2 populations become physically separated from each other and evolve independently in different environments.
How long does speciation take to occur?
Its gradual and can take 10s of thousands of years before the 2 populations are so different they meet the criteria of being different species.
What are populations of species which are currently isolated called?
Subspecies.
They may become distinct species or may remain interbreeding single species.
