What is reproductive isolation?
Q: What is reproductive isolation?
A: Reproductive isolation refers to the situation where different species may live in the same area, but properties of individuals prevent them from interbreeding.
Q: What are isolating mechanisms?
A: The things which stop species or groups of organisms reproducing sexually are called isolating mechanisms.
Q: Do members of one species generally mate with members of another species?
A: No, members of one species do not, in general, mate with members of another species, though there are many exceptions and variations to this.
Q: What happens if mating does occur between members of different species?
A: If such mating does take place, the offspring may not develop, or may not be fertile.
Q: Why do new species not continue to reproduce together after arising from ancestral species?
A: If species arise by the splitting of ancestral species, it might be asked what stops the new species continuing to reproduce together. If they did, they would again become one species.
Q: What stops different species from interbreeding?
A: Properties of individuals prevent different species from interbreeding.
Q: How are groups of organisms prevented from reproducing sexually?
A: Groups of organisms are prevented from reproducing sexually through isolating mechanisms.
