Arizona State University (ASU) BIO182 General Biology II Exam 2 Practice

The biological species concept primarily focuses on reproductive isolation as a way to define species. This concept emphasizes that a species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in natural conditions, while being reproductively isolated from other groups. Reproductive barriers are the mechanisms that prevent different species from mating with each other or ensure that if they do mate, they produce sterile or unviable offspring. These barriers can be prezygotic, such as temporal (different mating seasons), mechanical (differences in reproductive structures), or behavioral (differences in mating rituals), or postzygotic, where hybrid offspring may not survive or are sterile.

This clear focus on reproductive isolation helps to maintain the integrity of species over time, enabling populations to evolve independently. It distinguishes species that may look similar or inhabit the same area but do not interbreed due to these barriers. The other options, while relevant to the broader context of biology and species interaction, do not specifically address the core principles of how species are defined in relation to their reproductive capabilities.