Which piece of evidence would best support the argument for kin selection as a mechanism for the evolution of altruistic behavior?(1 point)

Question

Responses

a clown fish helps clean parasites off of a sea anemone
a clown fish helps clean parasites off of a sea anemone

a hippo stops a crocodile from eating an antelope
a hippo stops a crocodile from eating an antelope

a penguin protects its chick from seagulls
a penguin protects its chick from seagulls

an antelope gets separated from the herd and killed by predators

Which of the following pieces of evidence would be considered the most reliable and valid?(1 point)
Responses

data from a single observation of an event that has not been witnessed again
data from a single observation of an event that has not been witnessed again

data collected from a controlled experiment that has been reproduced in several different labs
data collected from a controlled experiment that has been reproduced in several different labs

data collected from a thousand individuals that cannot be reproduced under different circumstances
data collected from a thousand individuals that cannot be reproduced under different circumstances

data reported by a world-renowned expert that cannot be reproduced in a different lab

Herd behavior benefits wildebeests by(1 point)
Responses

allowing altruistic behavior.
allowing altruistic behavior.

helping individuals find mates.
helping individuals find mates.

decreasing the chance of spreading disease.
decreasing the chance of spreading disease.

increasing the number of resources available.

Group hunting improves a wolf’s ability to(1 point)
Responses

surround prey.
surround prey.

develop its traits.
develop its traits.

sneak up on prey.
sneak up on prey.

evade predators.

Consider the following argument:

Altruistic behavior in groups of related individuals is most likely driven by kin selection since related individuals would share DNA.

Which of the following pieces of evidence would be most likely to weaken this argument?

(1 point)
Responses

Data showing that food gifts are given more commonly among family members than between unrelated individuals in a group
Data showing that food gifts are given more commonly among family members than between unrelated individuals in a group

Data showing that individuals that share a higher percentage of DNA in a group tend to show the most altruistic behavior between themselves
Data showing that individuals that share a higher percentage of DNA in a group tend to show the most altruistic behavior between themselves

Data showing that the more frequent an allele of a gene occurs in a population, the more likely that population performs altruistic behaviors
Data showing that the more frequent an allele of a gene occurs in a population, the more likely that population performs altruistic behaviors

Data showing that only distantly related individuals are most likely to perform altruistic behaviors in order to protect each other

Answer 1

Let's address each question in turn:

1. Which piece of evidence would best support the argument for kin selection as a mechanism for the evolution of altruistic behavior?

   • Response: a penguin protects its chick from seagulls
     This best illustrates kin selection because the penguin is exhibiting altruistic behavior directed specifically toward its offspring, who share a significant amount of genetic material with the parent.

2. Which of the following pieces of evidence would be considered the most reliable and valid?

   • Response: data collected from a controlled experiment that has been reproduced in several different labs
     This type of data is the most reliable and valid, as reproducibility in multiple laboratories ensures that the results are consistent and not due to random chance or experimental error.

3. Herd behavior benefits wildebeests by:

   • Response: decreasing the chance of spreading disease
     Herd behavior can help lower the risk of disease spread by having individuals spread out and not come into close contact with too many others, among other benefits. It can also help in evading predators, but the most accurate response pertains to disease.

4. Group hunting improves a wolf’s ability to:

   • Response: surround prey
     Group hunting allows wolves to strategize and collaborate to effectively surround and capture prey.

5. Which of the following pieces of evidence would be most likely to weaken the argument of kin selection for altruistic behavior?

   • Response: Data showing that only distantly related individuals are most likely to perform altruistic behaviors in order to protect each other
     This evidence would challenge the kin selection argument by suggesting that altruistic behaviors can occur among individuals who are not closely related, undermining the premise that these behaviors are primarily for the benefit of relatives sharing DNA.