BIOL 1108 Chapter Notes - Chapter 22: Chromosome, Sympatric Speciation, Peripatric Speciation
Document Summary
Species are reproductively isolated from other species. To test whether or not species are real, we can examine natural world, measure some characteristic of different living organisms we see, and then plot these measurements on a graph. Each cluster is species, and fact that clusters are distinct implies that species are biologically real. Distances between dots within cluster reflect variation from one individual to next within species. Members of same species is reflection of ability to exchange genetic material by producing fertile offspring. Species represents closed gene pool, with alleles being shared among members of that species but usually not with members of others. Biological species concept-species are groups of actual or potential interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups. Members of different species are reproductively isolated from one another. Offspring must be fertile and capable of passing gene to own offspring. The bsc is more useful in theory than in practice.
