Question 1

Describe how continental drift resulting in Australia being isolated in the South Pacific contributed to biological species evolution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how continental drift resulting in Australia...

Question 2

Scientists supporting phyletic gradualism explain any period of stasis in the fossil record as stabilizing selection.

Accepted Answer

Phyletic gradualism suggests that evolution occurs at a slow, steady pace and periods of stasis (no apparent change) in the fossil record are explained by stabilizing selection, which maintains the status quo by selecting against extremes.

Question 3

Speciation is more likely to occur if the isolated population is large.

Accepted Answer

Speciation is more likely to occur in smaller populations because genetic drift and selection can lead to rapid changes in the gene pool, facilitating the development of reproductive isolation more quickly than in larger populations.

Question 4

Sexual isolation occurs when the egg proteins bind only complementary molecules on species specific sperm.

Accepted Answer

Sexual isolation refers to mechanisms that prevent species from mating with each other, not specifically to egg proteins binding to sperm. The described mechanism is more related to gametic isolation, a type of prezygotic barrier.

Question 5

Hybrid inviability can increase over generations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hybrid inviability can increase over generations....

Question 6

An alloploid contains multiple sets of chromosomes from a single species.

Accepted Answer

An allopolyploid contains multiple sets of chromosomes derived from different species, not a single species.

Question 7

Explain why the phylogenetic species concept presents more problems than the biological species concept.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why the phylogenetic species concept presents...

Question 8

Reinforcement is an evolutionary process that occurs in a hybrid zone in which parental species adapt to two different communities, and the hybrids thrive in an area of transition between the parental communities.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is an evolutionary process that strengthens reproductive barriers between species by selecting against hybrids, thereby reducing the likelihood of hybrid offspring, not promoting their success in transitional areas.

Question 9

Alloploidy provides a mechanism for slow speciation.

Accepted Answer

Alloploidy, involving the merging of chromosomes from different species, often leads to rapid speciation because the hybrids are reproductively isolated from both parent species.

Question 10

Briefly describe the possible outcomes if a population of allopolyploids were to evolve in an area into a new species.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe the possible outcomes if a...

Question 11

Sympatric speciation is the most common method of speciation and accounts for almost all evolution of new animal species.

Accepted Answer

Sympatric speciation is less common compared to allopatric speciation, where geographic isolation plays a key role in the evolution of new species.

Question 12

Darwin recognized that female preference for showy colors based on inheritance causes these male traits to become more common over time.

Accepted Answer

Darwin proposed the concept of sexual selection, which explains how traits that are advantageous for attracting mates, such as showy colors in males, can become more common in a population over time due to female preference for these traits.

Quiz 20: Speciation and Macroevolution