Interbreeding, in a biological context, refers to the The reproductive isolating mechanisms
mating or breeding between organisms that are capable
of producing fertile offspring. This means the offspring that can lead to speciation:
can also reproduce and pass on their genes. It's a key
concept in the definition of a species, as organisms
capable of interbreeding are often considered to be A. Pre-zygotic isolation mechanisms prevent
members of the same species fertilization and zygote formation.
The evolution of one species into others is Geographic or ecological or habitat isolation-
called speciation. potential mates occupy different areas or habitats
thus , they never come in contact
Ernst Mayer’s definition: “Species are groups of
interbreeding natural populations that are .
reproductively isolated from other such groups.” II. Temporal or seasonal isolation- different
Specie or species- are groups of interbreeding natural groups may not be reproductively mature at the
populations that are reproductively isolated from other same season, month or year.
such groups. III. Behavioral isolation- patterns of courtship
Interbreeding population – is the are different
Example: peacock is displaying of his train.
Interbreeding population – is the introduction of genetic
Males spread their tails in a fan shape and strut
material from one population of a species to another.
Breeding- is the sexual reproduction that produces an back and forth while shaking their feathers to
produce a rattling noise.
Inbreeding- is a breeding of genetically similar parents
Example; parent and offspring, full brother and sister, IV. mechanical isolation – differences in
half brother and sister, reproductive organs prevent successful
(the “Whittakers” the Americas most inbred family) interbreeding
example in plants: peas and beans
Note: inbreeding in humans causes physical and mental V. gametic isolation – incompatibilities between
problems. egg and sperm prevent fertilization
Mating with relatives can result in offspring with
reduced survival and fertility, a phenomenon known as Here's an example:
inbreeding depression. Sea urchins: Different species of sea urchins
offspring. release their eggs and sperm into the water
(broadcast spawning). While they may be
Interbreeding or hybridization- is a breeding between
releasing gametes simultaneously, the sperm of
two different species the same genus.
one species may not be able to fertilize the eggs
Example: the liger ( offspring of a male lion and a
tigress) tigron (a male tiger and a lioness) of another species due to incompatible proteins
Plants: Tangelo( citrus fruit like orange is crossed with on the sperm and egg surfaces. This prevents
grapefruit pomelo hybridization between different species of sea
urchins
In biological classification, a genus is a taxonomic rank
used to group closely related species. It sits above species
and below family in the hierarchical structure. Flowering plants:
In plants, gametic isolation can occur when
In biology, a hybrid is the offspring resulting from
pollen from one species is unable to germinate
combining the qualities of two organisms of different
on the stigma of another species, or when the
varieties, subspecies, species or genera through sexual
reproduction. pollen tube is unable to grow through the style to
reach the ovule.
B. Post-zygotic isolation mechanisms allow
fertilization but nonviable or weak or sterile
hybrids are formed.
I. hybrid inviability – fertilized egg fails to - It involves abrupt genetic changes that quickly
develop past the early embryonic stages lead to the reproductive isolation of a group of
II. hybrid sterility – hybrids are sterile because individuals.
gonads develop abnormally or there is abnormal Example: is a change in chromosome number
segregation of chromosomes during meiosis ( polyploidization).
III. hybrid breakdown - F1 hybrids are normal,
vigorous and viable, but F2 contains many weak
or sterile individuals. Sympatric genetic polymorphism refers to the
Hybrid breakdown is a phenomenon where the existence of multiple distinct genetic forms (morphs)
offspring of two different species or subspecies within a single, interbreeding population, where
(hybrids) are fertile and viable in the first these forms are not geographically separated
generation (F1), but subsequent generations (F2 C. Parapatric speciation
and beyond) exhibit reduced viability, fertility, or occurs when the groups that evolved to be
both. This breakdown is often caused by separate species are geographic neighbors. Gene
incompatibilities between genes inherited from flow occurs but with great distances is reduced.
the different parental species. There is also abrupt change in the environment over
a geographic border and strong disruptive selection
must also happen.
The embryonic stage of development is a period
lasting from the third week to the eighth week
after fertilization, during which the major organs
and body structures begin to form. It follows the
germinal stage (the first two weeks) and precedes
the fetal stage. During this time, the embryo's
cells differentiate and specialize, forming the
basic structures of the nervous system, heart,
limbs, and other organs
D. Peripatric speciation-
is a mode of speciation in which a new
The modes of speciation: species is formed from an isolated peripheral
population. Or it is when small groups of individuals
A. Allopatric speciation or geographic speciation break off from the larger group and form a new
occurs when some members of a population species.
become geographically separated from the other
members thereby preventing gene flow.
Example of geographic barriers: bodies of water
and mountain ranges.
B. Sympatric speciation - occurs when members
of a population that initially occupy the same
habitat within the same range diverge into two or
more different species.