Question

Will geographical isolation be a major factor in the speciation of an organism that reproduces asexually? Why or why not.

Answer 1

Geographical isolation:

1. Species separation by physical barriers.
2. Requires single parent.

Speciation:

1. Is an evolutionary process.
2. Leads to the formation of new species.

Asexual reproduction:

1. New offspring is produced by a single parent.
2. Genetically and physically similar to each other.
3. Clones of their parents.
4. Occurs through mitosis.

Geographical isolation in asexually reproducing organisms does not lead to speciation because:

1. No variation in offspring occurs.
2. Absence of meiosis.
3. Lack of genetic recombination and selection.