L5 Evolutionary Choices Sex and Life Histories

Question 1

Life History Theory

Answer 1

Study of evolutionary strategies affecting reproduction and survival.

Question 2

Sexual Reproduction

Answer 2

Reproduction involving the fusion of gametes from two parents.

Question 3

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 3

Reproduction without the fusion of gametes, producing clones.

Question 4

Genetic Variability

Answer 4

Diversity in gene frequencies within a population.

Question 5

Darwinian Fitness

Answer 5

Reproductive success relative to others in the population.

Question 6

Costs of Sex

Answer 6

Energy and risks associated with finding mates.

Question 7

Benefits of Sex

Answer 7

Increased genetic diversity and adaptability of offspring.

Question 8

Bdelloid Rotifers

Answer 8

Asexual organisms that utilize horizontal gene transfer.

Question 9

Hermaphroditism

Answer 9

Organisms possessing both male and female reproductive organs.

Question 10

Iteroparous

Answer 10

Species that reproduce multiple times throughout their life.

Question 11

Semelparous

Answer 11

Species that reproduce only once before dying.

Question 12

Survivorship Curves

Answer 12

Graphs showing survival rates at different ages.

Question 13

Type I Survivorship

Answer 13

High survival in early life, rapid decline later.

Question 14

Type II Survivorship

Answer 14

Constant mortality rate throughout life stages.

Question 15

Type III Survivorship

Answer 15

High mortality early, low mortality for survivors.

Question 16

Trade-offs

Answer 16

Balancing energy allocation between growth and reproduction.

Question 17

Sex Determination

Answer 17

Mechanism by which an organism’s sex is established.

Question 18

Chromosomal Sex Determination

Answer 18

Sex determined by specific combinations of sex chromosomes.

Question 19

Temperature Sex Determination

Answer 19

Sex determined by environmental temperature during development.

Question 20

Protandrous

Answer 20

Species where individuals start as males, can become females.

Question 21

Protogynous

Answer 21

Species where individuals start as females, can become males.

Question 22

Coho Salmon

Answer 22

Exhibit alternative reproductive strategies: jacks and hooknoses.

Question 23

Atlantic Cod

Answer 23

Type III species, high fecundity, long lifespan.

Question 24

Fecundity

Answer 24

Reproductive capacity of an organism, often measured by offspring number.

Question 25

Parental Care

Answer 25

Investment of time and resources by parents in offspring.

Question 26

Age-Specific Mortality

Answer 26

Variation in death rates at different ages.

Question 27

Life History Traits

Answer 27

Characteristics influencing an organism’s reproductive strategy.

Question 28

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Answer 28

Transfer of genetic material between organisms, bypassing reproduction.

Question 29

Sex Ratio

Answer 29

Proportion of males to females in a population.