2.4 Sex and behaviour

Question 1

Describe the greater parental investment made by females than males.

Answer 1

Females have higher energy investment and produce larger, but less, gametes that provide the necessary nutrients for a zygotes survival.

Question 2

Describe the costs and benefits of parental investment

Answer 2

Parental investment is costly but increases the offspring’s chance of survival.

Question 3

Describe the differences between r-selected and K-selected species.

Answer 3

r-selected species have short maturation periods, shorter life spans, usually smaller in size and more are produced where as K-selected species have longer maturation periods, have a longer life span, usually larger in size and produce less offspring.