Evolution and behaviour

Question 1

What is the encephalization quotient?

Answer 1

What proportion of body weight is taken up by brain weight

Question 2

T/F: humans have the largest relative brain size

Answer 2

TRUE. Humans have the highest observed brain:body ratio

Question 3

A crossbill’s beak is specifically designed to open pine cones. This behaviour is __________

Answer 3

INNATE

Question 4

A baby roof rat must learn from its mother how to eat pine cones. This behaviour is _________

Answer 4

LEARNED

Question 5

Which strategies will help organisms thrive in stable and unstable environments (innate or learned)?

Answer 5

• In stable environments, “specialists” like crossbills with INNATE behaviour will thrive.
• In an unstabke/changing environment, LEARNERS like the roof rat will thrive. Aka, GENERALISTS.

Question 6

Which evolutionary strategy requires a larger brain: generalists or specialists?

Answer 6

Generalists due to higher plasticity and ability to learn. Trial and error.
HIGHER LEARNING = HIGHER ABILITY TO EXPLOIT OTHER RESOURCES TO SURVIVE

Question 7

Evolutionary princliples

Answer 7

• Competition: more offspring than can survive/reproduce successfully
• Variation: sexual reproduction and mutation ensure non-identical offspring
• Adaptation: individuals whose characteristics are best fitted for environment will survive to produce more offspring

Question 8

Functionalism states that:

Answer 8

Behaviour (not only physical characteristics) is subject to evolutionary processes. Therefore, each behaviour has a PURPOSE. ie. enables some aspect of survival, or it would not have evolved in the form that it has.

Question 9

Why are “birds so dumb because they can fly?”

Answer 9

the inability to fly makes the organism have to develop intelligence to problem-solve to avoid predation.

Question 10

give an example of a maladaptive trait

Answer 10

albino alligators can be easily seen. Easier for other predators to see them and harder for them to hide from unsuspecting prey

Question 11

Homology vs Analogy

Answer 11

Homologous structures: same evolutionary/genetic/developmental origin, even if functionally different.
Analogous structures: serve same function, but not necessarily homologous (ex: wings on insect and bird)

Question 12

Natural selection operates at the genotypic/phenotypic level (select one)

Answer 12

PHENOTYPIC

Question 13

What is the significance of rift valley?

Answer 13

• separate tectonic plates
• each side has diff climates with diff species
• diff environments lead to diff foraging strategies

Question 14

How is climate change a possible critical factor in human brain evolution?

Answer 14

Because drought caused humans to migrate to new environments

Question 15

Why is bipedalism a possible critical factor in human brain evolution?

Answer 15

because it requires less energy than running on 4 legs/more energy efficient

Question 16

Why is the development of grasping hands a possible critical factor in human brain evolution?

Answer 16

Because limbs not dedicated to locomotion could now be used for other things (ie. tool-making, fine movements, etc.)

Question 17

Why is language a possible critical factor in human brain evolution?

Answer 17

Because language development = useful for social structure, relationships, and culture formation

Question 18

What is neoteny?

Answer 18

Juvenile characteristics extended into adulthood
-A slowing of the process of maturation, allowing more time for growth; an important factor in the development of large brains.

Question 19

T/F: adult human skull looks more like the skull of a chimp fetus than an adult chimp skull

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Why have humans evolved to give birth to such helpless and vulnerable babies?

Answer 20

Benefit of having a large brain is greater than the cost of having a helpless baby.
Childbirth is difficult because the baby’s cranium is too large for bipedally-evolved mother. Therefore, women must give birth after 9 months while baby’s head is still relatively small, rendering the baby helpless for a time while brain continues to develop.

Question 21

How has neoteny proven useful in the evolution of the human brain?

Answer 21

Flatter face and larger skull allows for larger brain and ability to express/communicate emotions

Question 22

What do sociobiologists study?

Answer 22

social behaviour in non-human animals and they make comparisons across species.

Question 23

Why is it beneficial for humans to have such a long period of life before reaching sexual maturity?

Answer 23

• BRAIN PLASTICITY greatly decreases at SEXUAL MATURITY
• longer infancy allows for strengthened brain pathways and LEARNING. Brain changes as we learn
• Having a more plastic brain gives us an advantage among other species

Question 24

Cognitive demand of human society

Answer 24

We have to learn and remember the following:

• individual identities
• roles
• rules
• scripts (things that we are and aren’t allowed to do are scripted. Rules that we all know. Requires mental capacity)

Question 25

Give an example of a static role and a situational role

Answer 25

static role: mother/daughter

situational role: customer/teller

Question 26

2 things to process in a social encounter:

Answer 26

1. situation

2. individuals (ex: know what topics to avoid and have a sense of how a person is feeling)

Question 27

Where are mirror neurons located?

Answer 27

Mirror neurons are located in the ventral premotor cortex and inferior parietal lobule

Question 28

When do mirror neurons respond?

Answer 28

When an individual makes a particular movement or sees another individual making that movement