How do altruistic behaviours arise through natural selection?
A) Altruistic behaviours lower stress in populations, which increases the survivability of all the members of the population.
B) The altruist is appreciated by other members of the population because its survivability has been enhanced by virtue of its risky behaviour.
C) Animals that perform altruistic acts are allowed by their population to breed more, thereby passing on their behaviour genes to future generations.
D) By his or her actions, the altruist increases the likelihood that some of its genes will be passed on to the next generation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Altruistic behaviors can arise through the theory of kin selection, which suggests that individuals may behave altruistically towards relatives because they share many of the same genes. By helping a close relative survive and reproduce, an individual may be increasing the likelihood that some of its genes will be passed on to future generations, even though the individual itself may not directly benefit. Over time, the genes associated with altruistic behavior may become more common in a population through this process of natural selection.

How Do Altruistic Behaviours Arise Through Natural Selection