Test 1 Flashcards
What is a proximal (causal) and Ultimate (functional) hypothesis?
Proximal hypothesis is what causes a behavior (e.g. hormones)
Ultimate hypothesis is the reason for a behavior (e.g. to avoid predation)
What steps need to happen in order for evolution to occur?
- Individual variation
- Some variation
- Competition among individuals
- Favoured traits get selected for
- Individuals are locally adapted to their environment
- Evolutionary change
What is natural selection?
The process of selecting one allele over another for better survival and reproductive success.
What is an adaptation?
A trait that allows an individual to survive and reproduce in an environment.
What is evolution?
Evolution is the result of natural selection where allele frequencies change.
Do genes cause behaviour?
Not directly. They influence disposition for behaviour (e.g. hormones)
What is phenotypic placidity?
Same set of genes but different phenotype responses to changing environment (epigenetics)
What are the different types of selection?
Individual - direct fitness of individuals
Kin - genes that code for individuals to help other individuals with the same genes (inclusive fitness)
Group - Genes that influence individuals to help those in the same group.
What are trade-offs?
Balance between costs and benefits to survival and lifetime
reproductive success (current and future reproduction)
What is the order of the scientific approach?
Observation, Hypothesis, Prediction, Test
What are predictions?
logical, testable, and exclusive expectations used to disprove hypothesizes.
What are the two main approaches for testing predictions?
Comparative studies and experiments
What are the two approaches of comparative studies?
Individual (correlational approach)
Species (phylogenetic approach)
What are the two types of experiments?
Manipulative and theoretical
What is found out with comparative individual studies?
Do differences in behavior correlate with a difference in some sort of fitness?
