IB ESS HL 3.1.6 Speciation Questions
Explain how isolation and divergence can produce new species.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- analyse how geographical and reproductive isolation reduce gene flow between populations
- link isolation, local environmental pressures and adaptation to endemic species and ecosystem diversity
- evaluate how continued divergence leads to speciation, including island and plate-activity examples
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IB ESS HL 3.1.6 Speciation Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 7]
Explain how natural processes may lead to the formation of new species.
a. mutation/sexual reproduction increases genetic diversity in a population;
b. those individuals with (genetically determined) features best adapted/more fit to their habitat/environment;
c. ...will survive / survival of fittest;
d. ...and will reproduce more successfully / leave a larger number of offspring;
e. passing on their offspring these favorable genes/traits;
f. favorable traits will dominate in population / gene frequency/genetic characteristics of a population changes over time;
g. a population may become divided due to plate tectonics/changing landscapes/ colonization of newly emerged habitats/islands;
h. ...leading to genetic isolation of parts/subpopulations;
i. the separated populations may undergo (divergent) evolution / under different selective pressures / in different habitats;
j. accumulating different mutations over generations;
k. the differences between separated populations may prevent them from interbreeding / when populations are unable to interbreed and produce fertile offspring they are considered separate species;
I. the process of natural selection led to speciation;
Credit may be gained through appropriate examples.
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