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How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?
- a)Biological altruism
- b)Genetic altruism
- c)Psychological altruism
- d)Reciprocal altruism
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance ano...
Understanding Biological Altruism
Biological altruism refers to behaviors performed by an individual that benefit another individual or group at a cost to the individual’s own fitness. This concept is pivotal in evolutionary biology, as it explains how cooperative behaviors can arise even when they seem to disadvantage the individual performing them.
Key Characteristics of Biological Altruism:
- Cost to Self: The altruistic individual incurs a fitness cost, which may include reduced reproductive opportunities or increased risk of predation.
- Benefit to Others: The behavior enhances the survival and reproduction of the recipient, thus increasing their overall fitness. This support may manifest in various forms, such as sharing resources, protecting others, or nurturing offspring.
- Evolutionary Perspective: Despite the cost to the altruist, these behaviors can be favored by natural selection if they contribute to the overall survival of a related group or kin. This is often explained through concepts like kin selection, where helping relatives can indirectly promote the altruist's genetic legacy.
Examples in Nature:
- Alarm Calls in Animals: Certain species make alarm calls to warn others of predators, risking their own safety to protect the group.
- Cooperative Breeding: In some bird species, non-breeding individuals assist in raising the offspring of others, which can increase the survival rate of the young.
Conclusion:
Biological altruism highlights the complexities of social behaviors in the animal kingdom, showcasing how selfless acts can play a crucial role in the survival and evolution of species. Understanding this concept is essential for comprehending the dynamics of social interactions within species.
Biological altruism refers to behaviors performed by an individual that benefit another individual or group at a cost to the individual’s own fitness. This concept is pivotal in evolutionary biology, as it explains how cooperative behaviors can arise even when they seem to disadvantage the individual performing them.
Key Characteristics of Biological Altruism:
- Cost to Self: The altruistic individual incurs a fitness cost, which may include reduced reproductive opportunities or increased risk of predation.
- Benefit to Others: The behavior enhances the survival and reproduction of the recipient, thus increasing their overall fitness. This support may manifest in various forms, such as sharing resources, protecting others, or nurturing offspring.
- Evolutionary Perspective: Despite the cost to the altruist, these behaviors can be favored by natural selection if they contribute to the overall survival of a related group or kin. This is often explained through concepts like kin selection, where helping relatives can indirectly promote the altruist's genetic legacy.
Examples in Nature:
- Alarm Calls in Animals: Certain species make alarm calls to warn others of predators, risking their own safety to protect the group.
- Cooperative Breeding: In some bird species, non-breeding individuals assist in raising the offspring of others, which can increase the survival rate of the young.
Conclusion:
Biological altruism highlights the complexities of social behaviors in the animal kingdom, showcasing how selfless acts can play a crucial role in the survival and evolution of species. Understanding this concept is essential for comprehending the dynamics of social interactions within species.
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How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance ano...
- Genetically altruistic behaviors aim to increase the genes of others at the cost of alleles possessed by the altruistic individual.
- Psychologically altruistic behaviors enhance pleasure or meet another individual’s psychological needs at the expense that individual’s pleasure or psychological well being.
- Reciprocal altruism behaviors involve short-term fitness sacrifices with the purpose of enhancing one’s own long-term fitness.
- Biological altruism
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How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?a)Biological altruismb)Genetic altruismc)Psychological altruismd)Reciprocal altruismCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2025 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?a)Biological altruismb)Genetic altruismc)Psychological altruismd)Reciprocal altruismCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?a)Biological altruismb)Genetic altruismc)Psychological altruismd)Reciprocal altruismCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?a)Biological altruismb)Genetic altruismc)Psychological altruismd)Reciprocal altruismCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2025 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?a)Biological altruismb)Genetic altruismc)Psychological altruismd)Reciprocal altruismCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for How would one describe the behaviors of an individual that enhance another individual’s or group’s fitness at a cost to that individual’s fitness?a)Biological altruismb)Genetic altruismc)Psychological altruismd)Reciprocal altruismCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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