Question

what happens to the flow of genes in a population when speciation occurs? the genes stop existing in the entire population. the genes stop flowing through the population. the genes continue to mutate in exactly the same way in the entire population. the genes continue to flow within the population.

Explanation:

Speciation is the formation of new species from a common ancestor. During speciation, reproductive isolation occurs, which stops gene flow between the newly forming species (or populations that will become species). Let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: Genes don't stop existing in the entire population; they just stop flowing between the groups undergoing speciation. Eliminate.
• Option 2: When speciation occurs (due to reproductive isolation like geographic, behavioral, or temporal isolation), gene flow (transfer of genetic material between populations) between the populations stops. This matches the concept of speciation.
• Option 3: Mutations are random, and different populations will have different mutation patterns once gene flow stops, so they won't mutate the same way. Eliminate.
• Option 4: Gene flow stops between the populations as they become reproductively isolated, so genes don't continue to flow through the entire population (now split into groups with no gene flow between them). Eliminate.

Answer:

B. The genes stop flowing through the population.