Key Area 6

Question 1

Social behaviour

Answer 1

animals live in social groups and have behaviours that are adapted to group living such as social hierarchy, cooperative hunting and social defence. These behaviours have evolved through the process of natural selection

Question 2

Survival value social hierarchy

Answer 2

Lowers aggression
saves energy
experienced leadership guaranteed
Most favourable genes passed on.

Question 3

Cooperative hunting survival value

Answer 3

Large pray can be killed. Subordinate animals benefit energy usage per individual reduced

Question 4

Cooperative defence

Answer 4

Early warning can be given
younger individuals defended
predators intimidated or confused.

Question 5

What’s altruistic behaviour

Answer 5

An altruistic behaviour harms the donor but benefits the recipient

Question 6

How does altruistic behaviour only benefit the recipient

Answer 6

This behaviour only benefits the recipient as the donor loses out on nutrients. However the donor may benefit from this behaviour in the future which will increase species survival.

Question 7

What is Kin Selection

Answer 7

Behaviour that appears to be altruistic may be common between a recipient and a donor if they are related (kin).

Question 8

What is division of labour

Answer 8

Only a few individuals carry out reproduction while other, sterile individuals called workers carry out most of the food collection. This is known as a division of labour and is an adaptation that increases the survival of the species

Question 9

Primate Behaviour

Answer 9

Primates have a long period of parental care to allow learning of complex social behaviour.