Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the items based on it. You are required to select your answers based solely on the contents of the passage and the opinion of the author. The grouping or assemblage of plants, animals and microbes we observe when we study a natural forest, a grassland, a pond, a coral reef or some other undisturbed area, is referred to as the area's biota or biotic community. The plant portion of the biotic community includes all vegetation, from large trees down through to microscopic algae. Likewise, the animal portion includes everything from large mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians through to earthworms, tiny insects and mites. Microbes encompass a large array of microscopic bacteria, fungi and protozoans. Thus, the biotic community comprises a plant community, an animal community and a microbial community. The particular kind of biotic community found in a given area is, in large part, determined by abiotic factors such as the amount of water or moisture present, the temperature, the salinity, or the type of soil in the area. These abiotic factors both support and limit the particular community. For example, a relative lack of available moisture prevents the growth of most species of plants, but supports certain species, such as cacti; these kinds of areas are deserts. Land with plenty of available moisture and a suitable temperature supports forests. The presence of water is the major factor that sustains aquatic communities. The first step in investigating a biotic community may be simply to catalogue all the species present. Species are the different kinds of plants, animals and microbes in the community. A given species includes all those individuals which have a strong similarity in appearance to one another and which are distinct in appearance from other such groups. Each species in a biotic community is represented by a certain population - that is, by a certain number of individuals that make up the interbreeding, reproducing group.
Species are defined on the basis of:
Understanding Species Definition from the Passage
The question asks us to determine how species are defined according to the provided passage. To answer this, we need to carefully read the section of the passage that discusses the term "species".
The relevant part of the passage states:
"Species are the different kinds of plants, animals and microbes in the community. A given species includes all those individuals which have a strong similarity in appearance to one another and which are distinct in appearance from other such groups."
Let's break down this definition:
- Individuals within a single species show "strong similarity in appearance". This highlights the importance of similarities.
- Individuals of one species are "distinct in appearance from other such groups". This highlights the importance of differences when distinguishing one species from another.
Therefore, the passage defines species based on characteristics that make individuals within the group similar to each other and different from individuals in other groups.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options in light of the passage's definition:
- Option 1: Similarities only
The passage mentions similarities, but it also explicitly mentions being distinct from other groups, which implies differences are also key. So, this option is incomplete. - Option 2: Differences only
The passage mentions being distinct from other groups (differences), but it also states individuals within a species have strong similarities. So, this option is also incomplete. - Option 3: Both similarities and differences
The passage states that individuals within a species have "strong similarity" AND are "distinct in appearance from other such groups". This option perfectly captures both aspects mentioned in the definition. - Option 4: None of the above
Since Option 3 accurately reflects the passage's definition, this option is incorrect.
Based on the explicit definition provided in the passage, species are defined by considering both the similarities among individuals within the species and the differences that distinguish them from other groups.
Revision Table: Key Concepts from the Passage
| Concept | Definition/Description from Passage |
|---|---|
| Biota / Biotic Community | Grouping or assemblage of plants, animals and microbes in an area. |
| Biotic Community Components | Plant community, animal community, microbial community. |
| Abiotic Factors | Non-living factors (water, temperature, salinity, soil type) that determine and limit the biotic community. |
| Species | Different kinds of plants, animals and microbes. Defined by individuals having strong similarity to one another AND being distinct from other groups. |
| Population | A certain number of individuals representing a species, making up the interbreeding, reproducing group. |
Additional Information on Species and Classification
While the passage provides a definition of species based on appearance (similarity and distinctness), it's important to note that the biological definition of a species can be more complex. The most common definition is the Biological Species Concept, which defines a species as a group of organisms that can interbreed in nature and produce fertile offspring. However, this concept doesn't apply to organisms that reproduce asexually.
The passage's definition is a practical one based on observable characteristics, suitable for the context of studying a biotic community by cataloguing organisms. Classification systems, like the Linnaean system, use hierarchies (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) to group organisms based on shared characteristics, incorporating both similarities and differences at various levels.
Similar Questions
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