Question

Indicate, as true or false, whether each of the following statements about species is a component of the biological species concept.

A. Their reproductive isolation from each other is complete.
B. They are unable to produce hybrid offspring upon interbreeding.
C. They shared a common ancestor recently in evolutionary time.

Answer 1

True or False: A. True, B. False, C. False. The biological species concept revolves around reproductive isolation and the capacity to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Hybrids can occur but are not central to the concept, and recent common ancestry does not determine species under this concept.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessing the given statements in the context of the biological species concept:

A. True - Species are reproductively isolated from each other; members of a species are not able to mate successfully with members outside their species, a key element of the biological species concept.

B. False - While the biological species concept emphasizes the ability to produce viable, fertile offspring, it does not claim that interbreeding between close species cannot produce hybrid offspring. Hybrids may occur, particularly in closely related species, although they may not always be fertile.

C. False - Sharing a recent common ancestor is related to evolutionary history, but for the biological species concept, the focus is on reproductive isolation and interbreeding capability in the present.

Speciation is the process through which new species arise, and the biological species concept helps in defining and characterizing the distinct species by their reproductive capabilities and barriers. The concept recognizes that while hybridization can occur, for most species, reproductive barriers tend to keep species distinct.

Answer 2

Their reproductive isolation from each other is complete: False

They are unable to produce hybrid offspring upon interbreeding: True

They shared a common ancestor recently in evolutionary time: False

Step-by-step explanation:

A species known as a group of that organisms which can be potentially interbreed with another one to produce viable, fertile offspring. Prezygotic and postzygotic barriers separated the species from each other. It prevents the mating of viable fertile offspring.

This process happens when groups in that species become reproductively diverge as well as isolated. In the formation of new species postzygotic and Prezygotic barriers play vital role.