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a. Outline the main steps involved in the process of speciation - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 8 - 2005 - Paper 1
Question 8
a. Outline the main steps involved in the process of speciation. In October 2004, on the remote Indonesian island of Flores, archaeologists discovered bones from a ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a. Outline the main steps involved in the process of speciation - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 8 - 2005 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline the main steps involved in the process of speciation.
Answer
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Separation/Isolation: Two populations become separated or isolated from each other. This can occur due to geographical barriers, environmental changes, or other factors that physically or biologically isolate the groups.
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Selection Pressure: Different selective pressures in the two environments act on each population. For instance, variations in food sources, predation, or climate can lead to the populations experiencing different aspects of natural selection.
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Genetic Divergence: Over time, the isolated populations accumulate genetic differences due to mutations, genetic drift, and different selective pressures. These differences increase over generations, leading to significant changes in traits.
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Reproductive Isolation: Eventually, the two populations become so distinct from one another that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring, marking the emergence of new species.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Describe another example of cultural evolution in human populations.
Answer
An example of cultural evolution in human populations is the development of agricultural practices, such as farming and animal domestication, which significantly altered lifestyles, food production, and social organization.