
Concept explainers
Distinguish between morphological, phylogenetic, and biological species concepts. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? What notion is common to each of the species definitions that we considered? Why do species definitions matter in conservation biology?
What are the most common mechanisms of sympatric
Describe the modern theory of evolution and discuss how it is supported by evidence from two of the following three areas.
a. Population genetics
b. Molecular biology
c. Comparative anatomy and embryology
Evolution is one of the major unifying concepts of modern biology. Explain the mechanisms that lead to evolutionary change. Describe how scientists use each of the following as evidence for evolution.
• Bacterial resistance to antibiotics
• Comparative biochemistry
• The fossil records

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- The first step leading to allopatric speciation is (a) hybrid inviability (b) hybrid breakdown (c) adaptive radiation (d) geographic isolation (e) paedomorphosisarrow_forwardFigure 18.23 Which of the following statements is false? Punctuated equilibrium is most likely to occur in a small population that experiences a rapid change in its environment. Punctuated equilibrium is most likely to occur in a large population that lives in a stable climate. Gradual speciation is most likely to occur in species that live in a stable climate. Gradual speciation and punctuated equilibrium both result in the evolution of new species.arrow_forwardWhich of the following is not part of how we define a species? a. Its individuals appear different from other species. b. It is reproductively isolated from other species. c. Its populations can interbreed. d. Fertile offspring are produced.arrow_forward
- What is the main difference between dispersal and vicariance? a. One leads to allopatric speciation, whereas the other leads to sympatric speciation. b. One involves the movement of the organism, whereas the other involves a change in the environment. c. One depends on a genetic mutation occurring, whereas the other does not. d. One involves closely related organisms, whereas the other involves only individuals of the same species.arrow_forwardWhich of the following evolutionary processes is associated with allopolyploidy? (a) gradualism (b) allometric growth (c) sympatric speciation (d) mass extinction (e) preadaptationarrow_forwardThe reproductive isolating mechanism in which two closely related species live in the same geographic area but reproduce at different times is (a) temporal isolation (b) behavioral isolation (c) mechanical isolation (d) gametic isolation (e) hybrid inviabilityarrow_forward
- David Hills of Baylor University noted that three closely related species of leopard frog (genus Rana) exhibit substantialbut not completepostzygotic reproductive isolation when crossed in the laboratory. Field surveys of numerous populations in Texas and surrounding states revealed that populations of the three species breed at various times during the year. Data on the breeding schedule of both allopatric and sympatric populations of these species are presented in the Figure below. Interpret the data in the figure and explain how they may demonstrate that these frogs experience prezygotic reproductive isolation in nature. What type of prezygotic reproductive isolation do the data suggest? Source: D.M. Hillis. 1981. Premating isolating mechanisms among three species of the Rana pipiens complex in Texas and southern Oklahoma. Copeia 1981:312-319.arrow_forwardAccording to the punctuated equilibrium model, (a) populations slowly diverge from one another (b) the evolution of species occurs in spurts interspersed with long periods of stasis (c) evolutionary novelties originate from preadaptations (d) reproductive isolating mechanisms restrict gene flow between species (e) the fossil record, being incomplete, does not accurately reflect evolution as it actually occurredarrow_forwardWhat is the difference between micro- and macroevolution? a. Microevolution describes the evolution of small organisms, such as insects, while macroevolution describes the evolution of large organisms, like people and elephants. b. Microevolution describes the evolution of microscopic entities, such as molecules and proteins, while macroevolution describes the evolution of whole organisms. c. Microevolution describes the evolution of populations, while macroevolution describes the emergence of new species over long periods of time. d. Microevolution describes the evolution of organisms over their lifetimes, while macroevolution describes the evolution of organisms over multiple generations.arrow_forward
- Why might captive-breeding programs that reintroduce species into natural environments fail?arrow_forwardIn a cladistic analysis, a systematist groups together organisms that share: derived homologous traits. derived homoplastic traits. ancestral homologous traits. ancestral homoplastic traits. all of the above.arrow_forwardWhat assumption underlies the use of genetic sequence differences between species as a molecular clock?arrow_forward
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