Kin and group selection, Biology

Assignment Help:

Before we proceed to discuss kin selection we should define the term altruism. It refers to the behaviour pattern of an individual in the population for the benefit of other members. Probably genes for altruism regulate the behaviour of such individuals. The local warning signal given by a bird to alert the other members of the flock or a honey bee stinging an intruder in order to defend its hive, are a couple of examples of altruism. In both the instances the altruistic individual may not survive: the signaller may invite the attention of the predator and the  stinging bee usually dies. It should be obvious to you that the death of these individuals would result in the elimination of concerned genes for such behaviour. Critics of Darwin argue that although altruism as a behaviour pattern is an adaptation, the fact that altruists are victims of such behaviour refutes the concept-that natural selection would promote favourable genes in the population.

A British biologist, W.D. Hamilton, effectively theorised that altruism is not an evidence against natural selection and proposed the term kin selection to explain altruistic behaviour. The term kin selection could be equated to natural selection when we are considering the kin or relatives of an individual. For instance a mother expending energy suckling or caring for her children, only ensures the reproductive success of her own genes through her progeny. Kin selection essentially favours such altruistic behaviour when the risk taken or energy spent by an individual is more than compensated by the benefits accrued by the relatives.


Related Discussions:- Kin and group selection

What is the thermopenetration concept, What is the thermopenetration concep...

What is the thermopenetration concept? The pasteurization of products packed in glass containers leads to a problem of a specific nature, which is referred to as 'thermopenetra

Characters of the hemichordata, Two typical characters of the Hemichordata ...

Two typical characters of the Hemichordata that can be observed and used to identify them are: i) Soft, worm-like or short unsegmented body. ii) Body is divided into a (i) pr

Hemorrhagic enteritis, H e morrhagic enteritis in Turkeys The viral e...

H e morrhagic enteritis in Turkeys The viral etiology in turkey poults showing sudden death was first described in1930 and thereafter reported in most turkey-producing areas.

What is acute massive pulmonary embolism, what is Acute Massive Pulmonary E...

what is Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism ? Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism :  Before the era of open-heart surgery, Trendelenburg (1908) described technique of open p

Describe about the lysosomes enzymes, Describe about the Lysosomes enzymes ...

Describe about the Lysosomes enzymes Within the cytoplasm of the cell, several hydrolytic enzymes (lytic enzymes) capable of hydrolysing proteins, nucleic acids and carbohydra

Interrupted suture technique-prosthetic aortic valve, Interrupted suture te...

Interrupted suture technique: Synthetic braided 2 '0' sutures (ethibond) with 17mtn needles on either end and a pledget is used. Alternate green and white sutures are taken aft

How is the nervous system of nematodes organized, How is the nervous system...

How is the nervous system of nematodes organized? Where are the neural chords located in their body? Roundworms have a ganglial nervous system with an anterior neural ring sho

Atelectasis and pneumonia - complications of cardiac surgery, Atelectasis a...

Atelectasis and Pneumonia Signs and symptoms are LV failure, hypovolemia, hypervolemia or renal vasoconstriction. Decreased breath sounds, poor ABG and poor cough reflex

Haptotaxis - modes of cell movement, Haptotaxis - Modes of Cell Movement ...

Haptotaxis - Modes of Cell Movement Haptotaxis considers to the directed movement of cells in response to a concentration gradient of an adhesive molecule that might be presen

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd