Suggest how the two sub-species have developed from a single ancestral population.

Two populations become separated by a barrier such as sea (geographical separation). As a result populations cannot interbreed, hence gene flow between two populations is prevented. As a consequence, only a small number of species are breeding (the founder effect) leading to a limited variety of allels. Gene mutations take place; there are different environmental conditions and selection pressures leading to changes in the allele frequency. This leads to physical and physiological changes and hence allopatric (geographic) speciation.

MS

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the similarities and differences between DNA and RNA?


Compare and contrast stabilising selection with disruptive selection


How are action potentials transmitted across synapses?


Explain what are the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of a protein