When reproductive isolation prevents members of two populations from interbreeding and producing offspring, thus separating their gene pools, what process can occur?A.MutationB.Disruptive selectionC.Directional selectionD.Speciation
Question
When reproductive isolation prevents members of two populations from interbreeding and producing offspring, thus separating their gene pools, what process can occur?A.MutationB.Disruptive selectionC.Directional selectionD.Speciation
Solution
The process that can occur when reproductive isolation prevents members of two populations from interbreeding and producing offspring, thus separating their gene pools, is D. Speciation.
Here's a step-by-step explanation:
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Reproductive isolation is a mechanism that keeps species from mating with others. It can be caused by geographical barriers (like mountains or bodies of water), behavioral differences (like different mating calls), or physical differences (like incompatible reproductive organs).
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When two populations are reproductively isolated, they can't exchange genes. This means that each population's gene pool - the total collection of genes in the population - stays separate.
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Over time, the two populations can start to diverge. This can happen because of natural selection (where certain traits make individuals more likely to survive and reproduce), genetic drift (random changes in the gene pool), or mutations (changes in the DNA).
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If the populations become different enough, they can become separate species. This process is called speciation.
So, the answer to your question is D. Speciation.
Similar Questions
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