Speciation Flashcards
Define Species
A group of similar organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring
Define Speciation.
When a new species is formed
When does speciation happen?
It happens when 2 populations become reproductively isolated.
This means that the 2 groups can’t reproduce to form fertile offspring.
Define Geographical Isolation.
A physical barrier that divides a population of species e.g. floods
Define Random Mutations.
they happen all the time completely random, not caused by anything
Define Allopatric Isolation
When a new species are formed due to geographical isolation
Define Sympatric Isolation.
When new species are formed due to reproductive isolation even though that are living in the same area. (due to random mutations that make them no longer compatible.
How does Geographical Isolation happen?
1) Conditions on either side of the barrier will be slightly different (with different selection pressures)
2) Therefore, the groups on either side will evolve by natural selection, and different alleles will increase in frequency depending on which are advantageous
3) Eventually the 2 groups are soo genetically different that even if they physically meet they can’t reproduce to produce fertile offspring and are therefore reproductively isolated