Hardy- Weinburg Principle

• What is genetic isolation?

  Reproductive isolation leading to genetic divergence
• What happens when two populations of the same species become reproductively isolated?

  They evolve independently and may form new species
• What leads to speciation when genetic differences arise?

  Inability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
• What are the two mechanisms of speciation?

  • Allopatric speciation
  • Sympatric speciation
• What is allopatric speciation?

  Speciation due to geographical isolation
• What is required for speciation to occur?

  Genetic isolation between populations
• What can act as a geographical barrier in allopatric speciation?

  A mountain range or body of water
• How does allopatric speciation affect gene exchange?

  No genetic exchange occurs between separated populations
• What happens to allele frequencies in allopatric speciation?

  They diverge due to different selection pressures

  
• What is sympatric speciation?

  Speciation without geographical barriers
• What must occur for sympatric speciation to take place?

  Two populations must exist with no gene flow
• What is ecological separation in sympatric speciation?

  Populations live in different environments within the same area
• How can soil pH lead to reproductive separation in plants?

  Different pH affects flowering times
• What is behavioral separation in sympatric speciation?

  Populations have different behaviors affecting reproduction

  
• How does feeding behavior lead to speciation in fish?

  Different feeding habits create separate environments
• What role do mutations play in speciation?

  They create new alleles for selection to act on
• Why is it important to distinguish between separation factors and breeding barriers in sympatric speciation?

  Separation factors cause initial isolation, breeding barriers prevent interbreeding
• What is the main difference between ecological and behavioral separation?

  Ecological involves environment, behavioral involves actions