Sex and Behaviour

Question 1

What is the comparison of sperm and egg production in relation to

Answer 1

Comparison of sperm and egg production is in relation to the number and energy store.

Question 2

What sex has greater investment

Answer 2

There is greater investment by females.

Question 3

What increases the probability of production and survival of young

Answer 3

Parental investment is costly but increases the probability of production and survival of young.

Question 4

What is the classification of r-selected and K-selected organisms based on

Answer 4

Classification of r-selected and K-selected organisms based on the level of parental investment in offspring and number of offspring produced.

Question 5

Where does r-selection occur

Answer 5

R-selection tends to occur in unstable environments where the species has not reached its reproductive capacity.

Question 6

Where does K-selection occur

Answer 6

K-selection occurs in stable environments.

Question 7

What is the benefit of external fertilisation

Answer 7

Very large numbers of offspring can be produced.

Question 8

What are the costs of external fertilisation

Answer 8

Many gametes are predated or not fertilised, there is no or limited parental care given to offspring, and few offspring survive.

Question 9

What are the benefits of internal fertilisation

Answer 9

There is an increased chance of successful fertilisation, fewer eggs are needed, offspring can be retained internally for protection and/or development, and there is a higher offspring survival rate.

Question 10

What are the costs of internal fertilisation

Answer 10

A mate must be located which requires energy expenditure, and it requires direct transfer of gametes from one partner to another.

Question 11

How are mating systems based

Answer 11

Mating systems are based on how many mates an individual has during one breeding season.

Question 12

What are the different types of mating systems

Answer 12

Polygamy and monogamy.

Question 13

What do many animals do to acquire a mate ?

Answer 13

Many animals have mate-selection courtship rituals to acquire a mate.

Question 14

What is successful courtship behaviour in birds and fish a result of

Answer 14

Successful courtship behaviour in birds and fish can be a result of species-specific sign stimuli and fixed pattern responses.

Question 15

What does sexual selection select for

Answer 15

Sexual selection selects for characteristics that have little survival benefit for the individual but increase their chances of mating.

Question 16

What do many species exhibit sexual dimorphism as

Answer 16

Many species exhibit sexual dimorphism as a product of sexual selection.

Question 17

What can occur in some species

Answer 17

Reversed sexual dimorphism occurs in some species.

Question 18

What does female choice involve

Answer 18

Female choice involves females assessing honest signals of the fitness of males.

Question 19

What happens in lekking species

Answer 19

In lekking species, males gather to display at a lek, where female choice occurs.

Question 20

What does success in male-male rivalry lead to

Answer 20

Success in male-male rivalry through conflict increases access to females for mating.