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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a
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05 Jan 2022, 08:45
05 Jan 2022, 08:45
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Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a distinct species can be difficult because no single accepted definition of the term exists. One approach, called the biological species concept, bases the definition on reproductive compatibility. According to this view, a species is a group of animals that can mate with one another to produce fertile offspring but cannot mate successfully with members of a different group. Yet this idea can be too restrictive. First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature. Second, sometimes the differences between two populations might not prevent them from interbreeding, even though they are dissimilar in traits unrelated to reproduction; some biologists question whether such disparate groups should be considered a single species. A third problem with the biological species concept is that investigators cannot always determine whether two groups that live in different places are capable of interbreeding.
When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype, an organism’s observable characteristics, instead. Two groups that have evolved separately are likely to display measurable differences in many of their traits, such as skull size or width of teeth. If the distribution of measurements from one group does not overlap with those of another, the two groups might reasonably be considered distinct species.
When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype, an organism’s observable characteristics, instead. Two groups that have evolved separately are likely to display measurable differences in many of their traits, such as skull size or width of teeth. If the distribution of measurements from one group does not overlap with those of another, the two groups might reasonably be considered distinct species.
Question 1
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Question Stats:
74% (02:27) correct
26% (02:20) wrong based on 27 sessions
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(Book Question: 54)
The passage is primarily concerned with
(A) describing the development of the biological species concept
(B) responding to a critique of reproductive compatibility as a criterion for defining a species
(C) considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
(D) pointing out the advantage of one method of distinguishing related species
(E) identifying an obstacle to the classification of biological species
Question 2
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Question Stats:
75% (00:47) correct
25% (00:53) wrong based on 24 sessions
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(Book Question: 55)
The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to
(A) point out a theoretical inconsistency in the biological species concept
(B) offer evidence in support of the biological species concept
(C) identify an obstacle to the application of the biological species concept
(D) note an instance in which phenotype classification is customarily used
(E) describe an alternative to the biological species concept
Question 3
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84% (01:02) correct
16% (01:54) wrong based on 25 sessions
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(Book Question: 56)
With which of the following statements regarding the classification of individual species would the author most likely agree?
(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
(B) Because no standard definition exists for what constitutes a species, the classification of animal populations is inevitably an arbitrary process.
(C) The criteria used by biologists to classify species have not been based on adequate research.
(D) The existence of hybrids in wild animal species is the chief factor casting doubt on the usefulness of research into reproductive compatibility as a way of classifying species.
(E) Phenotype overlap should be used as the basic criterion for standardizing species classification.
Question 4
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50% (00:48) correct
50% (01:02) wrong based on 22 sessions
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(Book Question: 57)
Which of the following best describes the function of lines 10-13 [First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature.]?
(A) It elaborates the definition of the biological species concept given in a previous sentence.
(B) It develops a point about the biological species concept made in the previous sentence.
(C) It states the author’s central point about the biological species concept.
(D) It identifies a central assumption underlying the biological species concept.
(E) It demonstrates why the biological species concept is invalid.
Re: Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a
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28 Jan 2022, 02:05
28 Jan 2022, 02:05
Expert Reply
Re: Determining whether a given population of animals constitutes a
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15 Mar 2022, 04:55
15 Mar 2022, 04:55
1
Expert Reply
(1) The passage is primarily concerned with
In the first paragraph, one way to define/identify species distinction is suggested and three reasons are given explaining why this particular method (way) may not be feasible. In the second paragraph, a different method/concept is suggested that people can use in order to determine ''distinction'' among species. Hence, we can reasonably infer that the main idea of the passage is to highlight two different approaches to determining ''distinction'' among species.
This school of thought is perfectly reflected in (C).
(C) considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
Hence, (C) is the right answer choice.
(2) The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to
if you read the whole sentence that contains this highlighted text, we have "A third problem with the biological species concept is that investigators cannot always determine whether two groups that live in different places are capable of interbreeding". From this entire sentence, we can reasonably infer that the highlighted text is a part of a reason that explains why biological species concept to determine species ''distinction'' may not be feasible. This thought is perfectly reflected in (C)
(C) identify an obstacle to the application of the biological species concept
Hence, (C) is the right answer choice.
(3) With which of the following statements regarding the classification of individual species would the author most likely agree?
In the first line of the second paragraph, we have ''When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype, an organism’s observable characteristics, instead''. This would reflect what (A) mentions perfectly.
(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
Hence, (A) is the right answer choice.
(4) Which of the following best describes the function of lines 10-13 [First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature.]?
If you read the sentence prior to the highlighted sentence of the first paragraph, you can see that the ''three reasons'' that follows this key sentence actually supports the idea/assertion made in this key sentence (where the key sentence is "Yet this idea can be too restrictive"). This is exactly what (B) mentions
(B) It develops a point about the biological species concept made in the previous sentence.
Hence, (B) is the right answer choice.
In the first paragraph, one way to define/identify species distinction is suggested and three reasons are given explaining why this particular method (way) may not be feasible. In the second paragraph, a different method/concept is suggested that people can use in order to determine ''distinction'' among species. Hence, we can reasonably infer that the main idea of the passage is to highlight two different approaches to determining ''distinction'' among species.
This school of thought is perfectly reflected in (C).
(C) considering two different approaches to identifying biological species
Hence, (C) is the right answer choice.
(2) The author of the passage mentions “groups that live in different places” (in line 21) most probably in order to
if you read the whole sentence that contains this highlighted text, we have "A third problem with the biological species concept is that investigators cannot always determine whether two groups that live in different places are capable of interbreeding". From this entire sentence, we can reasonably infer that the highlighted text is a part of a reason that explains why biological species concept to determine species ''distinction'' may not be feasible. This thought is perfectly reflected in (C)
(C) identify an obstacle to the application of the biological species concept
Hence, (C) is the right answer choice.
(3) With which of the following statements regarding the classification of individual species would the author most likely agree?
In the first line of the second paragraph, we have ''When the biological species concept is difficult to apply, some investigators use phenotype, an organism’s observable characteristics, instead''. This would reflect what (A) mentions perfectly.
(A) Phenotype comparison may help to classify species when application of the biological species concept proves inconclusive.
Hence, (A) is the right answer choice.
(4) Which of the following best describes the function of lines 10-13 [First, mating between groups labeled as different species (hybridization), as often occurs in the canine family, is quite common in nature.]?
If you read the sentence prior to the highlighted sentence of the first paragraph, you can see that the ''three reasons'' that follows this key sentence actually supports the idea/assertion made in this key sentence (where the key sentence is "Yet this idea can be too restrictive"). This is exactly what (B) mentions
(B) It develops a point about the biological species concept made in the previous sentence.
Hence, (B) is the right answer choice.
