Study questions
The following
questions are intended as a guide to help you focus your studying. You
must, however, do more than memorize the answers to each of these questions.
You need to understand the material and be able to discuss the concepts
in your own words. Use active study techniques as much as possible (i.e.,
you must do more than just read over your answers many times). I also recommend
that you take advantage of the learning resources at the end of each chapter
in the textbook, including the associated exercises on the textbook website
(www.essentialbiology.com).
back to Study Aids
Chapter
14: How biological diversity evolves (pp.
271-278 only)
1. Be able to explain the following pairs of concepts, and be able
to compare and contrast them: macroevolution/microevolution; branching
and nonbranching evolution, allopatric and sympatric speciation,
pre-zygotic and post-zygotic reproductive isolating mechanisms.
2. Be able to explain and discuss limitations of the biological
species concept.
3. What are some examples of geographic barriers that can result
in geographic isolation?
4. Describe how geographic isolation can lead to reproductive
isolation.
5. Review the various reproductive isolating mechanisms we discussed
in class. Be able to explain and give examples of the pre- and
post-zygotic reproductive isolating mechanisms.
