Biological species concept, Biology

Assignment Help:

Q. Biological species concept?

A biological species as defined by Ernst Mayr are "groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups". For example there are some species called sibling species that are reproductively isolated although they have extremely minute genetic differences. This definition assumes that a species cannot interbreed with other species due to a variety of isolating mechanisms that are behavioural, physiological, genetic, etc. Thus, according to the biological species concept, individuals within a species have a gene pool available for recombination through sexual reproduction within the group, and is not inhibited by pre - or post -mating reproductive isolation. The main criticism of this definition is that it applies only to organism (i.e. life forms) that have sexual reproduction, and ignores the fact that some times gene flow occurs between closely related, sympatric species (species whose geographical ranges overlap).

For example, significant gene exchange has happened between bison and bus (domestic cattle). Such occurrences violate the basic notion of the biological species concept. Nevertheless, this definition of a species continues to be widely used even today.


Related Discussions:- Biological species concept

Determine the categories of sleep disorders, Determine the categories of sl...

Determine the categories of sleep disorders Sleep disorders are generally divided into two major groups: 1) Narcolepsy, which is characterised by excessive sleep or brief in

Digestive system, what is the function of the tongue in the digestive syste...

what is the function of the tongue in the digestive system?

Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, Q. Explain about Non Insulin Depen...

Q. Explain about Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus? Overweight and obese adults are generally afflicted by this type of diabetes. The insulin produced by the pancreas is

Explain the kingdom fungi organisms, Explain the Kingdom Fungi organisms? ...

Explain the Kingdom Fungi organisms? Kingdom Fungi consists of mostly eukaryotic, multicellular, non-photosynthetic organisms that derive their nutrients by absorption. Fungi

Explain carbonating - method of food preservation, Explain Carbonating - me...

Explain Carbonating - method of food preservation? Carbonated water is the water in which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved under pressure. By eliminating oxygen, carbonate

What is recombination frequency, What is recombination frequency? Recom...

What is recombination frequency? Recombination frequency, or crossing over rate, is the percentage of recombinant gametes made by crossing over (in relation to the number of pa

Explain risk management, Explain Risk Management Risk Management :  ...

Explain Risk Management Risk Management :  The  process  of weighing  policy  alternatives  to accept, minimize or reduce assessed risks and  to select and  implement approp

What is the meaning of obesity, What is the meaning of Obesity? Obesity...

What is the meaning of Obesity? Obesity is a condition resulting from accumulation of excess body fat. The fat deposition takes place because over a period of time, people cons

Standard invert sugar solution, Q. Standard invert sugar solution? Rea...

Q. Standard invert sugar solution? Reagents Required 1) Standard invert sugar solution: Weigh accurately 0.985 g of sucrose and dissolve in 500 ml of water. Add 2 ml of

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd