A species is a set of individuals who can mate and produce _________ offspring.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about a defining criterion of a species: what kind of offspring result from mating within the species.
Option 1: 'Helpful' — This is not a biological criterion for species boundaries. Offspring usefulness or helpfulness is subjective and not a measure used to define species.
Option 2: 'Multiple' — This term has no relevance to the biological concept of reproduction or offspring viability; it does not describe the outcome of mating.
Option 3: 'Infertile' — If offspring were infertile, they could not propagate the species, so this would not meet the typical species definition of members that can give rise to a continuing lineage.
Option 4: 'Single' — The notion of a single offspring does not define a species. Species concepts concern the ability to produce offspring that can themselves reproduce, not the number of offspring produced.
Option 5: 'Fertile' — This aligns with the standard biological species concept: individuals that can mate and produce offspring capable of reproducing themselves. The fertility of offspring is what allows the lineage to continue across generations.

11:375:101:01 INTRO ENV SCIENCE Exam #1

A species is a set of individuals who can mate and produce _________ offspring.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr proposed one of the first species concepts, called the concept.

Species are natural populations of organisms that interbreed with each other or could possibly interbreed, and that cannot interbreed with organisms outside their other such groups (reproductive isolation). This concept is called _______________.

Which factor or factors contribute to the biological definition of a species? (one answer or multiple answers possible)

The biological species concept defines species as a population or group of populations that are able to ______.

Wolves and domesticated dogs can breed and produce viable offspring. These offspring are also fertile. A scientist uses this to classify them as a single species. In making this determination, which species concept was used?

The “biological species concept” defines species as a group of organisms that are:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler