Lecture 2

Question 1

5 steps of natural selection

Answer 1

1. Individuals differ
2. More individuals than resources
3. Offspring resembles parents
4. Individuals have features that help with survival
5. Some individuals are better adapted and offspring inherit adapted features

Question 2

Sexual selection

Answer 2

features are selected because they are more attractive to partners

Question 3

Heritability

Answer 3

Percentage of variance in a trait that can be explained by genetic differences between individuals

Question 4

Heritability of intelligence over time

Answer 4

The heritability of intelligence increases as we get older

Question 5

Missing heritability of intelligence

Answer 5

We know intelligence has a high heritability but the genes have not been found

Question 6

Dandelions

Answer 6

Individuals who remain stable under whatever circumstances

Question 7

Orchids

Answer 7

Individuals who are vulnerable under negative conditions but thrive in positive conditions

Question 8

Epigenetics

Answer 8

Changes in gene expression that are stable during cell division, sometimes over generations

Question 9

Chromosomes

Answer 9

Made up of DNA and protein that contain genes

Question 10

Imprinting

Answer 10

Process soon after birth in which the young of the precocial species follow the first moving object they see

Question 11

Precocial species

Answer 11

Species of animals where the young are able to move immediately after birth

Question 12

Ethological approaches

Answer 12

Approaches that emphasize the evolutionary origins of behaviors important for survival

Question 13

Critical period

Answer 13

Limited period in an animals life where they have to be exposed to learning a skill or it can’t be learned anymore

Question 14

Nativist-empiricist

Answer 14

Nativism: skills and abilities are innate
Empiricist: not born with built-in core knowledge

Question 15

Altricial species

Answer 15

Young are incapable of moving when born