A species is represented by individuals that form a population
A)whose members have the ability to interbreed and produce viable,fertile offspring.
B)whose members have the ability to interbreed but do not produce viable offspring.
C)but are reproductively incompatible.
D)but are distinct biological species that live in the same area.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A species is defined as a group of organisms that have the ability to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring. This means that the members share a common gene pool and can produce offspring that are capable of reproducing themselves. This is the biological concept of a species, and it is widely accepted by biologists. Options B and C are contradictory, as the ability to interbreed is necessary for both, but B states that they do not produce viable offspring while C says that they are reproductively incompatible. Option D is also incorrect, as distinct biological species cannot live in the same area, as they would have different ecological niches and compete for resources.

A Species Is Represented by Individuals That Form a Population