Question

Which condition is the basis for a species to be reproductively isolated from other members?

a. It does not share its habitat with related species.

b. It does not exist out of a single habitat.

c. It does not exchange genetic information with other species.

d. It does not undergo evolutionary changes for a significant period of time.

Short answer

Option (c) is the right response because it claims that it "prevents the sharing of genetic information with other species."

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

The term "reproduction isolation" refers to a mechanism that prevents population-wide gene exchange.

Ecological isolation, behavioural isolation, and temporal isolation are only a few examples of barrier mechanisms that have developed to inhibit gene flow between sister species during speciation.

Explanation for correct option

'Itdoesnotexchangegeneticinformationwithotherspecies,'saysoption(c).

Thesuppressionofgenefloworgeneticinformationwithothersiblingspeciesisdemonstratedthroughreproductiveisolation.

Individualsoftwospeciesareunabletointerbreedbecauseofreproductiveisolation.

Alternatively, they may fail to interbreed because the egg cannot be fertilised or formed.

As a result, that is the correct response.

Explanation for incorrect option

Option (a) becauseitdoesnotshareitshabitatwithotherspecies.

Reproductivelyseparatedmembersofrelatedspeciesmayoccupyacommonhabitat,withreproductiveisolationoccurringthroughavarietyofmethods,includingtemporalandbehaviouralisolation.

Asaresult,it'sthewrongchoice.

Option(b)ischosenbecauseitistheonlyhabitatthatexists.

Individualsthatarereproductivelyisolatedmaybefoundinavarietyofhabitatsthatdemonstrateecologicalisolation.

Asaresult,it'sthewrongchoice.

Option(d)ischosensinceitdoesnotundergomajorevolutionarychangesoveralongperiodoftime.

Reproductive isolation causes evolutionary changes as new species emerge throughout time through the process of speciation.

As a result, it's the wrong choice.