Evolution

Question 1

What is a gene ?

Answer 1

Unit of heredity that contains DNA carrying info from one generation to another

Question 2

How does each gene influence development ?

Answer 2

Triggers production of enzymes & proteins involved in production of certain cells

Question 3

What is a genotype ?

Answer 3

Genetic makeup of someone

Question 4

What is a phenotype ?

Answer 4

What the individual becomes when genes interact with each other & environment

Question 5

What is a dominant gene ?

Answer 5

Genes always leading to certain characteristic

Question 6

What is a recessive gene ?

Answer 6

Gene needing more than one copy to produce a characteristic

Question 7

What is evolution ?

Answer 7

How inherited characteristics in organisms change from generation to generation

Question 8

What is fitness ?

Answer 8

Measure of an animal’s ability to pass on its genes, in terms of the number of viable offsprings that arise

Question 9

What is adaptation ?

Answer 9

Physical feature of behaviour said to be adapted to environment in that it has been tested for suitability to that environment

Question 10

What did Buss et al suggest ?

Answer 10

Those that provide best fit for environment survive & pass genes on

Question 11

What is a mutation ?

Answer 11

Change in genetic structure of an animal/plant that makes it different from others of same kind

Question 12

What is sexual selection ?

Answer 12

Form of natural selection : individuals that are successful in attracting a mate out-reproduce others in that population

Question 13

What is genetic drift ?

Answer 13

each male & female pass on 50% of their genes, not 100%, element of chance in which genes are passed on and which aren’t

Question 14

What are heritable traits ?

Answer 14

Characteristics have genetic tendency combined with experiences in the environment, not all heritable

Question 15

What is natural selection ?

Answer 15

Survival of the fittest, characteristics not aiding survival die out as organism wouldn’t survive to reproduce

Question 16

What is kin selection ?

Answer 16

Natural where natural disadvantageous characteristics increase in population due to increased survival of individuals genetically related to those holding characteristic

Question 17

What is direct fitness ?

Answer 17

Gene gives characteristics to benefit survival

Question 18

What is indirect fitness ?

Answer 18

Disadvantageous characteristics to individual but advantageous to relatives

Question 19

What is group selection ?

Answer 19

Ability to survive more readily if part of group

Question 20

What is anisogamy ?

Answer 20

Where males produce many sperm at low psychological cost whereas females produce few eggs at high psychological cost

Question 21

How are males in the environment of evolutionary adaptedness ?

Answer 21

Successful ones physically bigger & stronger = more capable of providing food and protecting

Question 22

Why are successful males at an advantage ?

Answer 22

More likely to gain attention from female mates

Question 23

What has competition for mates given ?

Answer 23

Masculine aggression

Question 24

Why are females less aggressive and more emotional ?

Answer 24

Aggression is evolutionary disadvantage = pregnancy and puts children at risk

Question 25

What would we expect to see if ideas on female and male aggression is true ?

Answer 25

Differing brain structures

Question 26

What is Fisher's hypothesis ?

Answer 26

Females are attracted to males with survival value

Question 27

Supporting research (reproductive behaviour) = Buss

Answer 27

- Cross cultural study show men & women in 37 cultures follow patterns of behaviour predicted by evolutionary theory - Females valued good financial prospects, older males - 36/37 = males valued physical attractiveness, younger females

Question 28

Opposing research (reproductive behaviour) = Buss

Answer 28

- Evolution largely discounts cultural differences - Significant cultural differences = mate preference differed (Western & non-Western)

Question 29

Supporting research (reproductive behaviour) = Davis

Answer 29

- Content of personal ads in newspapers - Women looking for mate = emphasis on physical beauty (looking for high status) - Men = emphasis on wealth (looking for youthful woman)

Question 30

Reductionist/holistic ?

Answer 30

- Reductionist = suggest behaviours are part of dispositional factors, ignores situational factors - May be attracted to individuals we are exposed to/more contact with

Question 31

Explanation for aggression (jealousy) ?

Answer 31

Compete for mate to pass on genes

Question 32

What is jealousy ?

Answer 32

Biological disposition

Question 33

Why are males jealous ?

Answer 33

Suspecting female was unfaithful, females = parental certainty

Question 34

Why are females jealous ?

Answer 34

If there is another woman

Question 35

Criticism = jealousy

Answer 35

Females aggressive jealousy may deter another woman, how much jealousy turns into aggressive action depends on social norms, personalities & strength

Question 36

Explanation for aggression (limited resources) ?

Answer 36

Fighting for resources, defending food & shelter for survival live & reproduce, behaviour then inherited through genes

Question 37

Supporting research = Dunbar, Barrett & Lycett

Answer 37

- Replicated Buss across cultures, investigated private beliefs & behaviours while complying with modern ethical views - Research already in public domain, more truthful

Question 38

What is male aggression ?

Answer 38

- Motivated to acquire status, high status = access to mates & resources - Not engaging in conflict may be costly

Question 39

What do low status males have to do ?

Answer 39

Engage in high risk strategies to enhance changes in reproduction

Question 40

Supporting research (male aggression) = Daley & Wilson

Answer 40

- Review of murders found motive behind conflict = status, most victims & offenders low status & without mate - Most knew each other = understood status of rival - Equal status = more likely to be aggressive to move status above opponent

Question 41

What is female aggression ?

Answer 41

Less aggressive (costs of behaviour outweigh benefits), more important to survive

Question 42

Supporting research (female aggression) = Hill & Hurtado

Answer 42

- Ache of Paraguay, children 5x more likely to die if moths dies - 100% if happens before child is 1