my phrasing was somewhat off for this question. i'll be getting the exam back soon, and this was the only question that bothered me. i'll post the original question soon.
and this exam was for Biology.
Originally posted by DigiMark007good point, and again thanks.
Either way, it should get halved with a sibling's children. So the ratio is the same, even if the exact numbers aren't, so you'd get the same outcome to the problem regardless.
Re: Altruism Question (Path 1 or Path 2)
Originally posted by Dr. Leg Lock
Biology question which i'm having trouble with. This question is mainly for hymenoptera species.You're a certain type of organism (doens't really really matter what), and you have two paths to choose.
You can stay home and take care of your sister and her 8 offspring (all healthy)
or
You can branch out, leave your home and have 5 offspring (all healthy).
which path do you choose in order to more sucessful genetically.
It all depends on the population of the organism in question. If the population is high, it would be better to care for your sisters kids, but if it is low, then go out...
Originally posted by Shakyamunisonthat wasnt mentioned in the question from what i remember.
It all depends on the population of the organism in question. If the population is high, it would be better to care for your sisters kids, but if it is low, then go out...
Originally posted by Mr. Lovebee's are hymenoptera aren't they? they are social insects and do have such behaviors. They care for the young, and have reproductive castes of labor, but the question isn't on hymenoptera, its just based off their behaviors.
Bees don't behave in either of the ways outlined.
it can be any organism.
Originally posted by Dr. Leg Lock
that wasnt mentioned in the question from what i remember.bee's are hymenoptera aren't they? they are social insects and do have such behaviors. They care for the young, and have reproductive castes of labor, but the question isn't on hymenoptera, its just based off their behaviors.
it can be any organism.
Only the queen gives birth as I understand it. All the others are merely to protect the hive and keep it running.
Originally posted by Mr. Love
Only the queen gives birth as I understand it. All the others are merely to protect the hive and keep it running.
So what is your point? They evolved in a different manner for reproductive success, one that differs greatly from humans. The question wasn't about bees, nor about the epiphenomenon of shared responsibility that one finds on a larger level among hives. It was about which holds the greatest evolutionary advantage for a human, or someone who reproduces in a similar manner to humans (except in possible fringe scenarios like shakya suggested, though even then the preferred path is not sure to change).
Originally posted by DigiMark007
So what is your point? They evolved in a different manner for reproductive success, one that differs greatly from humans. The question wasn't about bees, nor about the epiphenomenon of shared responsibility that one finds on a larger level among hives. It was about which holds the greatest evolutionary advantage for a human, or someone who reproduces in a similar manner to humans (except in possible fringe scenarios like shakya suggested, though even then the preferred path is not sure to change).
Well it was asking about Bees in the title... Wasn't it?
Originally posted by Dr. Leg Lock
ya, that's the hymenoptera lifestyle. bees, ants, and i think even mole rats have similar castes.
Ah. Missed that part. The numbers should still be the same, but the offspring/sibling analogy does fall apart then depending on which reproductive system you're talking about.
Originally posted by DigiMark007true but it wasn't really specified. im going to get the exam back any day now. i'll post the exact question.
Ah. Missed that part. The numbers should still be the same, but the offspring/sibling analogy does fall apart then depending on which reproductive system you're talking about.
Originally posted by Mr. Lovewhy? because the question refelcts on the class studying hymentoptera behaviors.
Why?
Re: Altruism Question (Path 1 or Path 2)
Originally posted by Dr. Leg Lock
Biology question which i'm having trouble with. This question is mainly for hymenoptera species.You're a certain type of organism (doens't really really matter what), and you have two paths to choose.
You can stay home and take care of your sister and her 8 offspring (all healthy)
or
You can branch out, leave your home and have 5 offspring (all healthy).
which path do you choose in order to more sucessful genetically.
Wouldn't the most adaptive behaviour be associated with the probability of individual survival?
In a case where there is an abundance of males/too many females, the former would clearly be beneficial. This would also be true in situations of low resources, imho...
Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree, but more than just a mathmatical model, I think, would be necessary here?
Originally posted by inimalist
Wouldn't the most adaptive behaviour be associated with the probability of individual survival?In a case where there is an abundance of males/too many females, the former would clearly be beneficial. This would also be true in situations of low resources, imho...
Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree, but more than just a mathmatical model, I think, would be necessary here?
'tis a test problem with obvious mathematical import. You're going way too deep, despite having a good point.
😛
And if the question was indeed framed as he put it, we aren't made aware of such variables. If it were an essay, one could go into the varying merits of the decision based on resources and population scarcity. But it was clearly an "A or B" sort of thing.