Which are characteristics of a species?

I. The potential to interbreed to produce fertile offspring 
II. The formation of a population with members of the same species within a community 
III. The overproduction of offspring

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
 

A

This was a highly criticized question. Many teachers believed that D was the correct answer. The fact is that not all species overproduce offspring. There are many species in danger of extinction (for example, the Giant Panda) and it is clear that these species are not over-reproducing themselves.