What term would describe the group of organisms that can interbreed and produce offspring?

What term would describe the group of organisms that can interbreed and produce offspring?

• A. Population
• B. Community
• C. Species
• D. Ecosystem

Answer: (C)

Reproductive compatibility defines how we group organisms. A species is a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups, producing fertile offspring. This boundary of interbreeding and offspring production is what sets species apart from other levels. A population is just a local group within a species, a community includes all species in an area, and an ecosystem includes the living organisms plus their physical environment. So, the group described by interbreeding and producing offspring is the species.

Reproductive compatibility defines how we group organisms. A species is a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups, producing fertile offspring. This boundary of interbreeding and offspring production is what sets species apart from other levels. A population is just a local group within a species, a community includes all species in an area, and an ecosystem includes the living organisms plus their physical environment. So, the group described by interbreeding and producing offspring is the species.