Chapter 9

Cross-cultural studies are important in studying behavioral biology because: a. they allow us to evaluate the hereditary component of behaviors by revealing behaviors that persist throughout different cultures. b. they reveal how unique human behaviors are from the behaviors of other animals. c. they allow us to determine the extent to which culture has shaped behavior. d. they reveal how diverse human biology is through the many distinct cultures that have developed through human history. e. they allow us to determine the extent to which cultural behaviors have shaped biology.

a. they allow us to evaluate the hereditary component of behaviors by revealing behaviors that persist throughout different cultures.

The waggle dance is: a. used for food location in honeybees. b. used for mate choice in black widow spiders. c. used for kin selection in Belding's ground squirrels. d. used for reciprocal altruism in vampire bats. e. used for mate choice in grebes.

a. used for food location in honeybees.

In general, which of the following is the best way to distinguish males from females? a. Males are more brightly colored. b. Males produce motile gametes. c. Males are larger. d. Males are more aggressive. e. All of the above are correct

b. Males produce motile gametes.

From an evolutionary perspective, behavior can be viewed best as: a. not subject to the normal evolutionary process because it involves a neurological system. b. a trait that can satisfy the three conditions required for evolution by natural selection. c. something that is too complex to arise through natural selection. d. Both b) and c) are correct. e. All of the above are correct.

b. a trait that can satisfy the three conditions required for evolution by natural selection.

Polygynous species: a. are usually sexually monomorphic. b. are usually sexually dimorphic, with males larger and more highly ornamented. c. are more commonly found in birds than in mammals. d. usually employ external fertilization. e. are usually sexually dimorphic, with females larger and more highly ornamented.

b. are usually sexually dimorphic, with males larger and more highly ornamented.

When a male fish defends his nest: a. he increases the percentage of eggs in the nest that he will fertilize. b. he insures that only he will fertilize the eggs in the nest. c. he only protects the eggs from predators. d. he only protects the females from predators. e. he ensures that fewer females will lay eggs in it.

b. he insures that only he will fertilize the eggs in the nest.

Which of the following best illustrates an instinctive behavior in cats? a. scratching at the door to get in or out b. hunting and killing c. knowing when it is time to get fed d. being afraid of dogs e. All of the above are instinctive behaviors in cats.

b. hunting and killing

Polygamy and monogamy are two types of: a. kinship systems. b. mating systems. c. learned behaviors. d. dominance hierarchies. e. acoustical communications.

b. mating systems.

An optimal strategy for an animal in procuring food would involve all of the following EXCEPT: a. securing essential nutrients. b. maximizing the size of each prey item. c. minimizing the risk of predation during foraging and feeding. d. maximizing energy gained. e. minimizing energy expended.

b. maximizing the size of each prey item.

The sex with the greater energetic investment in reproduction will be _____________ when it comes to mating. a. less interested b. more discriminating c. more competitive d. less discriminating e. more exhaustive

b. more discriminating

Molecules released by an individual into the environment that trigger behavioral responses in other individuals are called: a. rubiscos. b. pheromones. c. alarm signals. d. phospholipids. e. language.

b. pheromones.

Two types of polygamy are: a. kin selection and reciprocal altruism. b. polygyny and polyandry. c. polygyny and monogamy. d. internal and external. e. isogamy and anisogamy.

b. polygyny and polyandry.

Behaviors that are learned easily and by all (or nearly all) individuals in a species are called: a. reciprocal altruism. b. prepared learning. c. fixed action patterns. d. instincts. e. innate behaviors.

b. prepared learning.

When the female silkworm moth is ready to mate, she: a. finds males by following the chemical signals they emit. b. releases a potent chemical into the air. c. creates a series of sounds recognizable by the male silkworm moth. d. lifts her wings to reveal the mating pattern underneath. e. performs a nuptial dance.

b. releases a potent chemical into the air.

Kin selection is defined as: a. selection for a behavior that raises an individual's own chances of survival or reproduction, as well as those of a related individual. b. selection for a behavior that lowers an individual's own chances of survival or reproduction, but raises those of a relative. c. selection for a behavior that lowers an individual's own chances of survival or reproduction, but raises those of another individual who may be reciprocally altruistic. d. selection that operates not just on one individual, but on all of its relatives as well. e. None of the above is correct.

b. selection for a behavior that lowers an individual's own chances of survival or reproduction, but raises those of a relative.

Most apparent acts of altruism in the animal kingdom have proved, on closer inspection, to be not truly altruistic. Instead, they have evolved as a consequence of either _______________ or ________________. a. kin selection; inclusive fitness b. reproductive investment; reciprocal altruism c. competition; courtship d. kin selection; reciprocal altruism e. monogamy; polygamy

d. kin selection; reciprocal altruism

Exclusive male parental care is much more prevalent in fish than in mammals because: a. both male and female fish lactate. b. fish do not have the option of raising young in a defended nest site or den. c. fish are less intelligent and so do not develop pair bonds. d. most fish reproduce by external fertilization while most mammals do not. e. fish are less likely to live in habitats with high-quality resources.

d. most fish reproduce by external fertilization while most mammals do not.

A single breeding male red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) may mate with several females, but each female usually mates with only one male. This type of mating system is known as: a. polygynandry. b. polyandry. c. monogamy. d. polygyny. e. serial monogamy.

d. polygyny.

Which of the following is a goose MOST LIKELY to retrieve first if found just outside her nest? a. a model egg that is larger than any other object near the nest b. a beer can c. a model egg that is more colorful than any other object near the nest d. her own egg e. an egg laid by another goose

a. a model egg that is larger than any other object near the nest

Incest avoidance evolved in humans: a. because breeding among close relatives leads to a higher proportion of offspring with genetic defects and, consequently, reduced fitness. b. as part of a larger fixed action pattern. c. because many bees, wasps, and ants can inflict painful, and even fatal, stings and bites. d. because in early human societies, alliances could be achieved by marrying the chief's daughter to the son of the chief of a different tribe. e. because breeding among close relatives leads to a higher proportion of offspring with increased fitness.

a. because breeding among close relatives leads to a higher proportion of offspring with genetic defects and, consequently, reduced fitness.

In black widow spider mating, the male _____________________ and the female _____________________. a. breaks off his sexual organ inside the female; kills and eats the male b. produces a copulatory plug; removes the copulatory plug c. mates with many females; mates with only one male d. is larger; is smaller e. brings the female a nuptial gift of food; decides whether to accept it

a. breaks off his sexual organ inside the female; kills and eats the male

Kin selection theory would lead us to predict that: a. children in stepfamilies are injured more frequently than those living with their biological families. b. children in stepfamilies are injured at exactly the same frequency as those living with their biological families. c. children in stepfamilies are injured less frequently than those living with their biological families. d. children in stepfamilies are less likely to engage in sexual activities with their family members than children living with their biological families. e. None of the above; kin selection theory cannot make predictions about human behavior.

a. children in stepfamilies are injured more frequently than those living with their biological families.

Altruistic behavior in animals may be a result of kin selection, a theory maintaining that: a. genes are more likely to persist within a population when they cause behaviors that assist other animals who share those genes. b. companionship is advantageous to animals because in the future they can recognize those companions that helped them in the past and can request help from them once again. c. companionship is advantageous to animals because in the future they can recognize those companions that helped them in the past and can provide help to those individuals. d. aggression between sexes increases the survival and reproduction of the fittest individuals. e. aggression within sexes increases the survival and reproduction of the fittest individuals.

a. genes are more likely to persist within a population when they cause behaviors that assist other animals who share those genes.

In a polygynous mating system: a. multiple females tend to mate with the same male. b. neither males nor females provide parental care beyond gestation and lactation. c. many females are unable to secure a mate. d. variance in female reproductive success is greater than variance in male reproductive success. e. parental care is predominantly by the father.

a. multiple females tend to mate with the same male.

In a polyandrous mating system: a. multiple males tend to mate with the same female. b. sexual monomorphism is expected. c. male-male competition is common. d. multiple females tend to mate with the same male. e. males tend to compete for access to females.

a. multiple males tend to mate with the same female.

Mate guarding is a reproductive tactic that functions to: a. reduce paternity uncertainty. b. increase the female's investment in the offspring. c. reduce the male's reproductive investment. d. reduce the female's fitness. e. increase the number of mates to which a male has access.

a. reduce paternity uncertainty.

The energy that a parent puts into the growth, feeding, and care of offspring is called: a. reproductive investment. b. the mating system. c. reproductive success. d. kin selection. e. total reproductive output.

a. reproductive investment.

When the sexes of a species differ in size or appearance, it is called: a. sexual dimorphism. b. the mating system. c. sexism. d. variance in reproductive success. e. polygamy.

a. sexual dimorphism.

Biologist W. D. Hamilton stated that the more closely related two individuals are: a. the more likely they are to act altruistically towards each other. b. the less likely they will be to mate with each other. c. the more likely they will disperse from each other at maturity. d. the more likely they will be competing for the same limited resources. e. All of the above are true.

a. the more likely they are to act altruistically towards each other.

The more asymmetric the parental investment is between the sexes: a. the more radical we expect the sexual dimorphism to be, both physically and behaviorally. b. the more likely it is that a population's mating system is monogamy. c. the more likely it is that the species in question is a bird species. d. the more likely it is that the individuals of the population are long-lived. e. a) and c) are both true.

a. the more radical we expect the sexual dimorphism to be, both physically and behaviorally.

What is the ultimate explanation for modern human preference for fatty foods? a. When we eat fatty foods, taste receptors on our tongue are stimulated, sending an action potential to our brain triggering the "do-it-again" centers. Fatty foods have nine calories per gram, unlike carbohydrates and proteins, which have four calories b. per gram, and in our environment we need to maximize our caloric intake in order to maximize our fitness. c. Ancestral humans who preferred fatty foods were less likely to starve, leaving more offspring in the next generation. d. We do not actually prefer fatty foods; we prefer sugary foods. e. We like the way that lipid-rich foods taste.

c. Ancestral humans who preferred fatty foods were less likely to starve, leaving more offspring in the next generation.

Usually the female is more discriminating than the male when it comes to mating. However, in bush crickets, the opposite is the case. Why is this? a. Male bush crickets are prettier than female bush crickets. b. A male bush cricket must bring the female a large offering of food in order for the female to accept him as a mate. c. The male contributes a massive amount of energy to the female during mating—his ejaculate makes up about one-fourth of his body weight. d. Male bush crickets have tremendous variation in the desirability of their territories. e. Male bush crickets accept the newly fertilized zygotes from the female and incubate them.

c. The male contributes a massive amount of energy to the female during mating—his ejaculate makes up about one-fourth of his body weight.

Because it is possible for a female to mate with multiple males, any of whom could be the father, male mammals and birds always: a. invest more in the care of the offspring. b. be the choosier sex in mating. c. have some degree of paternity uncertainty. d. invest less in the care of the offspring. e. mate with kin that they can trust.

c. have some degree of paternity uncertainty.

Acoustical communication includes all of the following EXCEPT: a. alarm calls. b. cricket chirps. c. honey bee waggle dance. d. bird song. e. territorial howling of wolves.

c. honey bee waggle dance.

In amphibians, it is generally the case that: a. both males and females invest significant energy in the care of offspring, but the female invests more. b. both males and females invest significant and equal energy in the care of offspring. c. neither the female nor the male invest much energy in the care of offspring. d. the male invests more energy in the care of offspring than does the female. e. the female invests more energy in the care of offspring than does the male.

c. neither the female nor the male invest much energy in the care of offspring.

Why is the goose rolling a beer can back to her nest? a. She's a silly goose. b. She's using the beer can as part of the nest border to protect the eggs. c. She's trying to get nutrition from any source she can. d. She's exhibiting a fixed action pattern that directs her to retrieve any item that even vaguely resembles an egg. e. She's a first-time mother and is in the process of learning the difference between eggs and non-eggs.

d. She's exhibiting a fixed action pattern that directs her to retrieve any item that even vaguely resembles an egg.

Monogamy, a relatively rare system outside of birds, evolves when: a. it is dangerous to compete for multiple mates. b. males compete for females who have higher parental investment. c. both males and females have low parental investment. d. both males and females have high and equal parental investment. e. females compete for males who have higher parental investment.

d. both males and females have high and equal parental investment.

In birds, after fertilization but prior to the emergence of the chicks, the development of the fertilized egg is: a. dimorphic. b. internal. c. ignored by both parents. d. external. e. variable.

d. external.

Which of the following is an example of a female mating with a male only after submitting him to a courtship ritual? a. A female frigate bird is attracted to the male with the brightest red chest feathers. b. A female black widow will only mate with a male that will mate guard her. c. A female arctic squirrel will mate with the male that controls the best territory. d. A female moth will mate with the same male for 24 hours. e. A female bowerbird will mate with a male only after inspecting the small thatched structure he has built for her.

e. A female bowerbird will mate with a male only after inspecting the small thatched structure he has built for her.

_____________ is an action or signal on the part of one organism that alters the behavior of another organism. a. Language b. Courtship c. Visualization d. Deception e. Communication

e. Communication

Behaviors that do not require environmental input for their development are called: a. learned behaviors. b. complex behaviors. c. reciprocal altruism. d. fixed action patterns. e. instincts.

e. instincts.

An honest signal: a. is a signal conveyed by dancing, singing, or speaking. b. is a signal, given when both the signaler and responder have the same interests, that can be faked. c. is a signal that cannot be communicated through language. d. is a signal, given when the signaler and responder have different interests, that cannot be faked. e. is a signal, given when both the signaler and responder have the same interests, that cannot be faked.

e. is a signal, given when both the signaler and responder have the same interests, that cannot be faked.

In a species such as elephant seals, in which males are significantly larger than females, the most likely mating system is: a. polyandry. b. promiscuity. c. monogamy. d. It is impossible to predict the mating system with only this information. e. polygyny.

e. polygyny.

An animal will preferentially feed on: a. the largest prey it can find. b. the prey that provides the most calories relative to the size of the prey. c. the smallest prey it can find. d. the prey that provides the most calories relative to the size of the predator. e. the prey that provides the most energy relative to effort.

e. the prey that provides the most energy relative to effort.

Vampire bats: a. exhibit reciprocal altruism but not kin selection. b. are unusual in that they are one of the few animal species that exhibits kin selection. c. will sometimes regurgitate blood into the mouth of another bat that is close to starving, but the likelihood of the bat doing this is a function of the degree of relatedness between the two individuals. d. There are no such things as vampire bats; they're from a Dracula novel. e. will sometimes regurgitate blood into the mouth of an unrelated bat that is close to starving.

e. will sometimes regurgitate blood into the mouth of an unrelated bat that is close to starving.