What is speciation? List four factors that could lead to speciation. Which of these cannot be a major factor in the speciation of a self-pollinating plant species? Explain.

Speciation: Speciation is the formation of new species from an existing species. This is known as micro evolution.

4 factors that could lead to speciation are:

1. GENETIC DRIFT:

Genetic drift is the movement of a certain gene and its accumulation in another area or region which can lead to the formation of new species.

2. NATURAL SELECTION:

It depends on the nature for the formation of new species. Nature selects certain species (depending on conditions) which will lead to the formation of new species from the existing ones.

3. DNA CHANGE:

Variations in DNA copying can also lead to the formation of new species. When DNA copying occurs, due to different factors a major change occurs in the sequence of DNA, which can result in the formation of new species.

4. NO FERTILIZATION:

When DNA copying results in the formation of new changes and variation, certain variations occur that does not allow sexual act between two groups. These two groups now due to the absence of sexual act between them, emerge as new and different species.

Out of these four, DNA change is not the major factor in the speciation of a self-pollinating plant species. This happens because, in the case of self-pollinating species, the pollination takes place within the same plant. Hence, very small DNA change will occur, which cannot lead to speciation.