Question

Biologists surveying the bacterial flora of Yellowstone National Park, particularly populations located in the park’s famous hot springs, have collected data on habitat characteristics, sequenced the DNA of bacteria from each population, and studied the physical characteristics of the cells. They have also compared what they know about these bacteria to other species already collected and identified from the park. Given this information, which species concept would the researchers be UNABLE to apply?
a) evolutionary species concept
b) biological species concept
c) ecological species concept
d) phylogenetic species concept

Answer 1

Answer:

Biological species concept

Explanation:

Biological species concept tells up about how one species develop from another species with the help of breeding between individuals. Therefore biological species concept is applied to those who can breed sexually but bacteria and other prokaryotes do not breed sexually so researchers are unable to use this concept in this situation.

The evolutionary and phylogenetic species concept can be applied to find connection and relationship of these bacteria with other bacteria and ecological species concept can be used here to show how these bacteria are adapted in their habitat. Therefore the right answer is b.

Answer 2

Answer:

The correct answer will be option-B

Explanation:

The data collected on the bacterial species in the Yellowstone national park involved:

1. habitat characteristics

2.DNA of bacteria from each population

3. compared with other species of the park

Based on these features, the biologist could apply all the types of species concept like ecological species concept which allows the study of the species from the same niche.

Also, they compared the DNA of the species of the bacteria and compared them which allows to trace the evolutionary patterns and showing the phylogenetic relationship.

Since bacteria do not reproduce by the sexual reproduction, therefore, a biologist cannot apply the biological species concept which states that species can be called species which can reproduce only with the closely rated species only or the individual of the same species.

Thus, Option-B is the correct answer.