Question

Which statement does not describe geographic isolation?

A. Members of a species are cut off or separated from the rest of its species.

B. Build up of traits over time.

C. Separation by rivers, volcanic activity, or mountain ranges.

D. A new species forms because a group cannot mate with original members of a species.

Answer 1

D. A new species forms because a group cannot mate with original members of a species.

Step-by-step explanation

Geographical isolation deals with a plant, animal or organisms being separated and unable to exchange genetic material with other organisms of the same species. This can be caused by accident or coincidence.

Water bodies, mountains are sometimes responsible for the isolation as the animals may decide to migrate to other parts of the environment and become separated from the main species.

A new species forming because a group can’t mate with the original species is a false example of geographic isolation because there is no geographic barrier or proof of separation.

Answer 2

Answer is D. A new species forms because a group cannot mate with original members of a species.

Geographic isolation refers to a situation where a physical barrier such as a river or a mountain divides a population of species into two or more groups allowing each group to diverge along separate evolutionary paths. Geographic isolation can also result to reducing the flow of genes as the separated groups of animals cannot mate and exchange DNA.