AP®︎ Biology: Topic 7.10 Practice Test
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with focused practice questions on Topic 7.10 of AP Biology – Speciation.
Questions List
Topic 7.10
Question 1 Easy
This question tests the following: EVO-3.D
What is the primary mechanism through which new species evolve?
What You’re Being Tested On:
Explore the learning objectives taken directly from the College Board’s AP® Biology Curriculum. Ensure you’re prepared for the exact topics covered on the AP® exam, in-class tests, and quizzes, and gain confidence in your mastery of the material.
Topic 7.10: Speciation
Learning Objective: 7.10.A
Describe the conditions under which new species may arise.
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.A.1
Speciation occurs when two populations become reproductively isolated from each other.
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.A.2
The biological species concept provides a commonly used definition of a species for sexually reproducing organisms. It states that species can be defined as a group capable of interbreeding and exchanging genetic information to produce viable, fertile offspring.
Learning Objective: 7.10.B
Describe the rate of evolution and speciation under different ecological conditions.
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.B.1
Punctuated equilibrium is when evolution occurs rapidly after a long period of stasis. Gradualism is when evolution occurs slowly over hundreds of thousands or millions of years.
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.B.2
Divergent evolution occurs when adaptation to new habitats results in phenotypic diversification. Speciation rates can be especially rapid during times of adaptive radiation as new habitats become available.
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.B.3
Convergent evolution occurs when similar selective pressures result in similar phenotypic adaptations in different populations or species.
Learning Objective: 7.10.C
Explain the processes and mechanisms that drive speciation.
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.C.1
Sympatric speciation occurs in populations with geographic overlap. Allopatric speciation occurs in populations that are geographically isolated. Illustrative examples: Hawaiian Drosophila; Caribbean Anolis; Apple maggot Rhagoletis
Essential Knowledge: 7.10.C.2
Various pre-zygotic and post-zygotic mechanisms can maintain reproductive isolation and prevent gene flow between populations.
