AIIMS 2019 Zoology Speciation Assertion Reason Question
A group of individuals resembling each other in morphological, physiological, biochemical and behavioral characters constitute a species. Such individuals can breed among themselves but cannot breed with members other than their own to produce fertile offspring. New species are formed mainly due to reproductive isolation.
Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect
Correct Answer
Detailed Explanation
Option B is correct because the assertion accurately describes the biological species concept, which defines a species based on reproductive isolation and the ability to produce fertile offspring within the group. The reason provided is also correct, as reproductive isolation is a key mechanism in the formation of new species, but it does not directly explain the assertion about species characteristics.
Option A is incorrect because, while both statements are true, the reason does not specifically explain the assertion. Option C is incorrect as the assertion is valid, and option D is incorrect because both statements are indeed correct. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping how species are defined and how speciation occurs in the context of evolutionary biology.
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