Question

The Isthmus of Panama developed around 3 million years ago. The formation of this land barrier separating the continents of North and South America separated a population of snapping shrimp as well. Researchers have noticed that shrimps from both sides of the isthmus appear nearly identical to one another. However, when male shrimp from one side of the isthmus are paired with female shrimp from the other side of the isthmus, the shrimp display aggressive behavior toward one another and will not mate. The isthmus has prevented all of the following from occurring except

• A. Gene flow
• B. Hybridization
• C. Speciation
• D. Mutation
• E. Divergent evolution

Answer 1

The correct option is D Mutation

A. Gene flow is the movement of alleles from one population to another as a result of inter breeding between the members of two populations.

B. Hybridization is the production of hybrid by combining characters from different organisms.

C. Speciation is the process of species formation from previously existing species.

D. Mutation is the change in genetic makeup of organism due to alteration in nucleotide sequence.

E. Divergent evolution is a process in which same basic organ becomes adapted by specialisation to different functions.

Hence isthmus has prevented all of the following from occurring except mutations because mutations are not under our control.

So, the correct answer is 'Mutation'.