Two graduate students are trying to identify new species of bacteria based on the criteria of Ernst Mayr. They are having a lot of trouble with this method, and then suddenly realize that they can't use Mayr's definition of a species for identifying bacteria species. Why not?
A)DNA can be passed between bacteria of different species by means of horizontal gene transfer.
B)DNA is never passed between bacteria of different species.
C)Bacteria do not reproduce sexually and/or do not undergo meiosis.
D)Bacteria form pili and, as a result, reproduce sexually.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ernst Mayr's biological species concept is based on reproductive isolation and sexual reproduction, which bacteria do not undergo. Additionally, horizontal gene transfer allows DNA exchange between different bacterial species, complicating species identification.

Two Graduate Students Are Trying to Identify New Species of Bacteria