Biology: Concepts and Investigations
Biology: Concepts and Investigations
5th Edition
ISBN: 9781260259049
Author: Hoefnagels
Publisher: MCG
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Chapter 14, Problem 1MCQ

The biological species concept defines species based on

a. external appearance.

b. the number of adaptations to the same habitat.

c. ability to interbreed.

d. DNA and protein sequences.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The biological species is defined as a population, or group of populations, the members of which can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. The formation of new species or speciation occurs when the members of a population are no longer successful in interbreeding with the rest of the group.

Answer to Problem 1MCQ

Correct answer:

The biological species concept defines species based on the ability to breed. Therefore, option (c) is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Ernst Mayr, the Harvard biologist defines a biological species as a population, whose members can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Option (c) is given as “ability to interbreed”.

As, “the biological species defines the species based on ability to interbreed” is the right answer.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Reason for the incorrect statements:

Option (a), is given as “external appearance”.

On the basis of external appearance the biological species cannot be defined as the organisms which belong to different groups of species are looks alike in external appearance. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b), is given as “the number of adaptations to the same habitat”.

On the basis of the number of adaptations to the same habitat a biological species cannot be defined as the adaptations may vary even in same groups of organisms in the same habitat. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d), is given as “DNA and protein sequences”.

On the basis of DNA and protein sequences a biological species cannot be defined as the genetic sequences present some ambiguity because they cannot reveal whether genetically similar organisms currently share a gene pool. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Therefore, the concept of biological species defines a species based on the ability to breed.

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