Sexual Selection

Question 1

What is the theory of natural selection?

Answer 1

Fittest individuals survive and reproduce

Succeeding generations will become adapted to their environment

Question 2

What is the problem with the theory of natural selection?

Answer 2

Cannot explain costly traits that lower an individual’s survival

Question 3

What are the types of sexual selection?

Answer 3

Male-male competition (intrasexual selection):

• comptetion between members of the same sex

Female choice (intersexual selection):

• choice, by one sex, of mates of the other sex

Question 4

What can lead to sexual dimorphism?

Answer 4

Males tend to have a higher potential reproductive rate than females

So males compete and the females choose

This competing and choosing leads to sexual dimorphism e.g. a good example being in mallards