10 Questions
What unique character defines the two biological sexes for animals?
Males have smaller gametes (sperm versus eggs)
What form can sexual selection take?
Intersexual selection — individuals of one sex prefer certain attributes of individuals of the other sex
What is typically female choice in sexual selection?
Choosing mates based on certain attributes
What did Charles Darwin find difficult to explain with his theory of natural selection?
The absurdity and beauty of peacock plumage
What do males and females have in terms of gametes?
Males have larger gametes than females
What defines the two biological sexes for animals?
Males have smaller gametes (sperm versus eggs)
What is typically female choice in sexual selection?
Preferring certain attributes in individuals of the other sex
Why did Charles Darwin find it difficult to explain something beautiful and absurd?
Due to the direct and indirect benefits choosy females seek in a mate
What form can sexual selection take?
Intersexual selection - individuals of one sex prefer certain attributes in individuals of the other sex
What unique character defines the two biological sexes for animals?
Males have smaller gametes (sperm versus eggs)
Study Notes
Biological Sexes in Animals
- The unique character that defines the two biological sexes for animals is the type of gametes they produce: males produce small, mobile gametes (sperm) and females produce large, immobile gametes (eggs).
Sexual Selection
- Sexual selection can take the form of competition between members of the same sex (intrasexual selection) or choice by one sex of a mate (intersexual selection).
- Typically, female choice is observed in sexual selection, where females choose their mates based on certain characteristics.
Natural Selection and Charles Darwin
- Charles Darwin found it difficult to explain the evolution of elaborate and ornate traits in males, such as bright plumage or complex songs, using his theory of natural selection.
- He struggled to understand why these traits, which seemed to be a hindrance to survival, had evolved and been maintained in populations.
Test your understanding of sexual selection with this quiz. Explore the concept of differential mating success and the roles of males and females in the process. Discover how sexual selection influences mating behavior and the factors that lead to sex-role-reversed species.
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