speciation

Question 1

what is speciation

Answer 1

Speciation is the process by which one species splits into two or more separate species.

Question 2

The process of speciation occurs in three steps:

Answer 2

1. Variation
2. Isolation
3. Selection.

Question 3

what is variation

Answer 3

Most genetic mutations have no effect. A few, however, produce new alleles, which result in new traits.

These new traits make the population more diverse. This is called variation.

Question 4

what is isolation

Answer 4

Isolation happens when different groups within a population are somehow prevented from interbreeding. There are two main ways in which this occurs:
Geographical barriers: oceans, rivers, mountain ranges and gorges
Climatic barriers: rainfall, temperature, sunlight and ocean currents

Question 5

what are some examples of isolation

Answer 5

the three types of baobab trees (australian, african and the giant baobab)
the squirrels of the grand canyon

Question 6

what is selection

Answer 6

Each group is exposed to selection pressures, such as:
Food / shelter availability
Environmental conditions
Biological factors (predators, diseases etc.)
Since these pressures are different for each group, different traits are advantageous.
Over time, the groups become less and less alike.
Eventually, the two groups become so different that they cannot mate any more (or if they can, their offspring are infertile). When this point is reached, the two are considered different species.