Diversity
Biology: AQA A Level, topic 7.3.8
Diversity of Organisms
Evolution and speciation are important processes in driving the diversity of life.
Speciation
- Speciation happens when two or more species emerge from one species.
- Speciation is the process that has led to the huge diversity of species that exist in life today.
- Every species originally stemmed from a single population.
- This demonstrates how speciation is very important in generating diversity.
Evolution
- New species can emerge through speciation because of evolution.
- When two populations are reproductively isolated, natural selection causes the separate populations to evolve in different directions.
- The continuous cycle of evolution and speciation is what has led to the diversity we see today.
Test yourself on Diversity
Which of the following statements about diversity are true?