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

Hibernation and aestivation, Normal 0 false false false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Sonology, Sonology : This is the study of hearing. Sonology is a type of sc...

Sonology : This is the study of hearing. Sonology is a type of science of neologism which is used to describe the study of sound in a variety of disciplines. In medicine, this term

Excretory organs, why the excretory organ of prawn is called ''green gland'...

why the excretory organ of prawn is called ''green gland''?

Six-membered oxygen-containing ring is referred as, A cyclic hemiacetal wit...

A cyclic hemiacetal with a six-membered oxygen-containing ring is referred to as a(n): Select one: a. aldehyde. b. pyranose. c. ketopentose. d. furanose. e. sorbi

Mechanism of regulation, A number of protein-coding genes are active in all...

A number of protein-coding genes are active in all cells and are required for so- called house-keeping functions such as the enzymes of glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and the pr

What does fungus looks like, Q. What does this fungus looks like? Ans...

Q. What does this fungus looks like? Ans. The important characteristic features of aflatoxicosis are jaundice, cirrhosis. Long term exposure to aflatoxins could lead to

Explain the functionality of hot air oven, Explain the Functionality of Hot...

Explain the Functionality of Hot Air Oven? Hot air oven sterilizes the object by hot dry air. It kills the microorganisms by oxidizing cellular constituents. Dry Heat is less e

Oxygen transport in blood, Oxygen Transport in Blood All four respirat...

Oxygen Transport in Blood All four respiratory pigments are adapted to load and unload oxygen effectively in I the habitats where they have evolved, whether animals live on la

Response to flooding, Response to Flooding Prolonged flooding or water...

Response to Flooding Prolonged flooding or water-logging creates anaerobic conditions for the sub-surface parts of the plant and synthesis of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) helps

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