L6 - Environment and behaviour

Question 1

what effect do genes and the environment have on behaviour?

Answer 1

False dichotomy, effects almost alway very subtly intertwined, not separate influence. No distinction between nature and nurture, this distinction is far too simple.

Question 2

How is the honey bee used to interconnects the intertertwinedness of genetics and environments?

Answer 2

Species shows age related changes in behaviour, suggesting a genetic programme. Juvenile hormones, plus environmental factors have an effect on this, Whether or not hormone for foraging is secreted depends on amount of other foragers in population, isn’t secreted in the juveniles

Question 3

What are the effects on early nutrition on the environment?

Answer 3

What we experience a foetus can have lifelong effects, can be negative e.g. foetal alcohol syndrome, thalidomide, smoking, poor diet and obesity

Question 4

What is the thrifty phenotype hypothesis?

Answer 4

Poor metal nutrition results in small offspring, idea is that I food I short during developement, it might also be short during growing up, so adaptive strategy is to produce a small offspring that requires less food.

Question 5

How does the animal industry restrict food?

Answer 5

Keeps animal on low diet until its ready to be sold, then feeds more, leads to rapid growth but less overall food use

Question 6

What differences do zebra finches show in phenotype if reared on high protein vs low protein diet?

Answer 6

shows no difference, although may be due to having short lifespan anyway so invest everything into phenotype and then die young

Question 7

How do red deer show how season affects phenotype?

Answer 7

Calves born in the spring have a lower birth weight, therefore a higher mortality, any that survive will also have smaller young

Question 8

How do hormones affect foetal development in mice?

Answer 8

Born litters, female embryos that develop with male embryo either side are more aggressive and less attractive to males after birth than females with no male neighbours

Question 9

Why does foetal environment have an effect on behaviour?

Answer 9

means the experience in the womb is different for different offspring, experience before birth affects their adult behaviour and subsequent survival and reproductive success

Question 10

How does having a twin brother affect behaviour?

Answer 10

Females are less likely to get married and have children