What is a species?

This is a difficult question that scientists grapple with quite often. Some scientists spend a lifetime trying to answer this question. What makes the question even more difficult is that with each new advancement of technology, we are presented with new challenges and questions about how we define a species.

• Of these four cats: lion, tiger, cheetah and king cheetah, which ones are different species? How did you arrive at that conclusion?

Which of the following do you think will help you determine whether the cheetah is a species than should be saved? Defend your answer for each choice?

Species are reproductively isolated groups of organisms.

Species differ in their DNA and protein molecules.

Species are anatomically different from other organisms