BIO 315 EXAM 3 ISU QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Adaptation - Correct Answers -A trait that increases the ability of an individual to survive
or reproduce compared to individuals without the trait.
Adaptationist program - Correct Answers -Research that results in a true understanding
of the adaptive significance of traits
Steps to analyze a trait using the adaptive adaptationiast program: - Correct Answers -
1- develop an appropraite null hypothesis
2- develop the appropriate alternative hypothesis
3- develop a test to distinguish between two hypotheses
Example used for the adaptationist program: - Correct Answers -polar bear fur
Process of experiments: - Correct Answers -1- ask biological questions
2- in light of evolution develop plausible hypotheses and predictions
3- subject the hypotheses and predictions to formal tests
What example was used for experiments in lecture? - Correct Answers -The function of
wing markings and the wing waving display of Tephritid Fly Zonosemata
Experimental conclusions of the wing mark and waving display experiment: - Correct
Answers --flies mimic jumping spiders
-Successful mimicry requires both wing pattern and waving
- Wing pattern and waving only deter spiders, not other predators
what are three ways to test for adaptations? - Correct Answers --Experiments
-Observations
-The comparative method
Comparative method example - Correct Answers -bat testes size
How does the comparative method work to study adaptations? - Correct Answers -
Looks at how comparisons among species can be used to study the evolution of form
and function
Expected conclusions from the bat testes study via comparative method: - Correct
Answers --large testes are an adaptation for sperm competition
-a male can increase his reproductive success in the face of sperm competition by
producing larger ejaculates
-Entering more sperm into the race increases his odds of winning
, -larger tests= larger ejaculates
What is needed for the phylogenetic comparative method? - Correct Answers -1-
phylogeny for species
2- trait values for extant and ancestral species
Factors that limit adaptive evolution: - Correct Answers -1- selective trade-offs
2- Functional constraints
3-Lack of heritable genetic variation
Stabilizing selection hypothesis - Correct Answers -Peak of graph is in the middle
Sexual dimorphism - Correct Answers -A difference between males and females of a
species
Why does sexual dimorphism occur according to darwin? - Correct Answers -Gives a
male an advantage over other males in the competition for mates
Prediction of Hamilton's rule: - Correct Answers -self-sacrificing behavior is directed at
close relatives and should result in indirect fitness gains that outweigh costs to direct
fitness.
Divisions of inclusive fitness: - Correct Answers -Direct fitness
Indirect fitness
Direct fitness - Correct Answers -fitness due to personal reproduction
What are secondary sexual characteristics according to Darwin? - Correct Answers -
characters that are not needed for survival or mating but function in reproduction
through competition for mates or mate attraction
what does a males fitness depend on? - Correct Answers --the number of females he
can mate with
what things increase the males fitness? - Correct Answers -his secondary sexual
characteristics
why would only males have secondary sexual characteristics and not females? -
Correct Answers -females "spend" much of their energy on raising their offspring and
producing gametes whereas males spend little energy on their offspring and gamete
production
Ultimately- males have more energy to spend on their outward appearance
What limits a females fitness? - Correct Answers --the number of eggs she can produce
- the number of pregnancies she can carry
ANSWERS
Adaptation - Correct Answers -A trait that increases the ability of an individual to survive
or reproduce compared to individuals without the trait.
Adaptationist program - Correct Answers -Research that results in a true understanding
of the adaptive significance of traits
Steps to analyze a trait using the adaptive adaptationiast program: - Correct Answers -
1- develop an appropraite null hypothesis
2- develop the appropriate alternative hypothesis
3- develop a test to distinguish between two hypotheses
Example used for the adaptationist program: - Correct Answers -polar bear fur
Process of experiments: - Correct Answers -1- ask biological questions
2- in light of evolution develop plausible hypotheses and predictions
3- subject the hypotheses and predictions to formal tests
What example was used for experiments in lecture? - Correct Answers -The function of
wing markings and the wing waving display of Tephritid Fly Zonosemata
Experimental conclusions of the wing mark and waving display experiment: - Correct
Answers --flies mimic jumping spiders
-Successful mimicry requires both wing pattern and waving
- Wing pattern and waving only deter spiders, not other predators
what are three ways to test for adaptations? - Correct Answers --Experiments
-Observations
-The comparative method
Comparative method example - Correct Answers -bat testes size
How does the comparative method work to study adaptations? - Correct Answers -
Looks at how comparisons among species can be used to study the evolution of form
and function
Expected conclusions from the bat testes study via comparative method: - Correct
Answers --large testes are an adaptation for sperm competition
-a male can increase his reproductive success in the face of sperm competition by
producing larger ejaculates
-Entering more sperm into the race increases his odds of winning
, -larger tests= larger ejaculates
What is needed for the phylogenetic comparative method? - Correct Answers -1-
phylogeny for species
2- trait values for extant and ancestral species
Factors that limit adaptive evolution: - Correct Answers -1- selective trade-offs
2- Functional constraints
3-Lack of heritable genetic variation
Stabilizing selection hypothesis - Correct Answers -Peak of graph is in the middle
Sexual dimorphism - Correct Answers -A difference between males and females of a
species
Why does sexual dimorphism occur according to darwin? - Correct Answers -Gives a
male an advantage over other males in the competition for mates
Prediction of Hamilton's rule: - Correct Answers -self-sacrificing behavior is directed at
close relatives and should result in indirect fitness gains that outweigh costs to direct
fitness.
Divisions of inclusive fitness: - Correct Answers -Direct fitness
Indirect fitness
Direct fitness - Correct Answers -fitness due to personal reproduction
What are secondary sexual characteristics according to Darwin? - Correct Answers -
characters that are not needed for survival or mating but function in reproduction
through competition for mates or mate attraction
what does a males fitness depend on? - Correct Answers --the number of females he
can mate with
what things increase the males fitness? - Correct Answers -his secondary sexual
characteristics
why would only males have secondary sexual characteristics and not females? -
Correct Answers -females "spend" much of their energy on raising their offspring and
producing gametes whereas males spend little energy on their offspring and gamete
production
Ultimately- males have more energy to spend on their outward appearance
What limits a females fitness? - Correct Answers --the number of eggs she can produce
- the number of pregnancies she can carry
