Unit 3 key area 6

Question 1

Define the term social hierarchy?

Answer 1

A social hierarchy is a rank order of organisms that has dominant individuals and subordinate members

Question 2

In a social hierarchy what behaviors will a dominant individual exhibit

Answer 2

A dominant individual will display ritualistic behavior (threat)

Question 3

In a social hierarchy what behaviors will a subordinate individual exhibit?

Answer 3

A subordinate member will display appeasement behaviors to reduce conflict.

Question 4

State the advantage that being the dominant organism in a social group has?

Answer 4

The dominant organism will be able to pass on its advantageous genes to produce more offspring.

Question 5

Why do animals form alliances?

Answer 5

Animals form alliances to improve their social status within the group.

Question 6

Explain the advantages of cooperative hunting?

Answer 6

• Cooperative hunting allows individuals to gain more food than they otherwise would have if they were foraging alone
• Cooperative hunting allows for less energy to be expended for each individual
• Cooperative hunting allows for larger prey to be caught and increases the chances of success of a hunt.

Question 7

Explain some of the advantages of social defence strategies?

Answer 7

• Social defence strategies increase the chances of members of a group surviving.
• Some individuals can keep watch for predators whilst others go and gather food
• Some social defence strategies adopt using group formations to increase the chances of survival of their young

Question 8

Define the term altruism?

Answer 8

Altruism is a behavior that harms the donor and benefits the recipient

Question 9

Define the term reciprocal altruism?

Answer 9

Reciprocal altruism refers how in social groups the roles of donor and recipient are later revered and the recipient later becomes the donor for the altruistic behavior.

Question 10

In which situations is altruistic behavior most common?

Answer 10

Altruistic behavior is commonplace amongst related individuals/kin.

Question 11

How does the donor benefit from altruistic behavior?

Answer 11

The donor benefits from kin selection by which the recipient has an increased chance of survival to pass on their related genes to offspring.

Question 12

Explain the structure of social insects societies?

Answer 12

• The queen and drones are the only members of the group with reproductive capabilities.
• most members are sterile workers that work closely with relatives to raise relatives.

Question 13

state 4 types of social insects?

Answer 13

• bees
• wasps
• ants
• termites

Question 14

Give three examples of worker roles within a group?

Answer 14

• Defending the hive
• Collecting pollen
• Performing a waggle dance to indicate the direction of food

Question 15

why do workers help to raise relatives?

Answer 15

To increase the chances of survival of shared genes

Question 16

Why do primates have a long period of parental care?

Answer 16

To allow them to learn complex social behaviors and support the social hierarchy reducing conflict

Question 17

State four examples of complex social behaviors learned by primates?

Answer 17

• Facial expressions
• Grooming
• Body posture
• Sexual presentation