In some social insects, there are individuals that do not mate or may not be fertile but help look after other members of their group. Which statement regarding this situation is true?
A)There is no way that natural selection can act on the genes of nonreproducers since they do not leave offspring.
B)The ultimate cause of this behavior is the need to keep their group safe.
C)By protecting relatives, the nonreproducers increase the probability that their genes will be passed to the next generation.
D)Lack of mating is an agonistic behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nonreproductive individuals in social insects often help to care for the offspring of reproducing individuals, who are typically their close relatives. By increasing the survival and fitness of their relatives, these nonreproducing individuals increase the probability that their own shared genes will be passed on to future generations. Thus, natural selection can act on the behavior of nonreproductive individuals through the indirect benefits they provide to their relatives. Option A is incorrect because natural selection can act on genes indirectly, even if the individual with those genes does not personally reproduce. Option B is too broad and does not explain the underlying genetic basis for the behavior. Option D is incorrect because lack of mating is not an agonistic behavior, which refers to aggressive or confrontational behaviors among members of a group.

In Some Social Insects, There Are Individuals That Do Not