Edexcel GCSE Biology

Speciation

Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on Speciation. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 5 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 5)

  1. Question 1

    Which process is the initial driver of speciation when a population is physically divided?

    • A) Selective breeding
    • B) Geographical isolation
    • C) Artificial selection
    • D) Random mutation rate
    Show answer

    Answer: Geographical isolation

    Geographical isolation splits a population into two separate groups. This prevents gene flow between them, allowing different mutations and selective pressures to act on each group independently over time.

  2. Question 2

    After isolation, what must occur within the separated groups for them to eventually become distinct species?

    • A) Identical mutations
    • B) Genetic divergence
    • C) Uniform environment
    • D) Decreased population
    Show answer

    Answer: Genetic divergence

    As populations face different environmental conditions, natural selection favours different alleles. Over generations, the genetic makeup of the two groups becomes so distinct that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

  3. Question 3

    What is the biological definition of a species regarding the ability to interbreed?

    • A) Share similar DNA
    • B) Produce fertile young
    • C) Look physically same
    • D) Live in same habitat
    Show answer

    Answer: Produce fertile young

    Even if organisms look similar, they are only considered the same species if they can successfully reproduce. If the offspring produced are sterile, the parents belong to different species.

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2 more questions on Speciation — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Biology spec.

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