Discuss the Relationship Between Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour
There are many theories that try to explain relationships between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour. Evolutionary theory is one such theory.
There are many different species in the world which, according to Darwin, all came from one source, e.g. a bacteria or organism. Within each species, natural variation occurs, therefore the individual beings within the specie look different from one another. These differences are caused by genetic makeup (50% from your mum, 50% from your dad). There are some genes like down-syndrome that get switched on when combined with other genes. Some genes can also undergo mutation- a random change (e.g. being born with six fingers, instead of five). Most mutations are harmful, for example Siamese twins joined by the brain, but some like the cheetah’s spots are good, they make it easier for the cat to camouflage better. This mutation increased survival fitness; therefore it got passed on and became a permanent feature. The other cheetah’s without spot started dying out, as they could not camouflage as well as the spotted one, and got caught when stalking their prey. Evolution is the process of natural selection according to Darwin; it enables us to find mutations which help us survive. In addition to natural selection, Darwin also suggested that species evolve through sexual selection. Darwin suggested that animals would evolve through time and end up with physical and behavioural characteristics that allow them to survive efficiently and compete effectively with rivals. For example, the peacock’s tail appears to reduce its chance of survival as it attracts predators and hinders its flight. But the tail is what helps it survive, as it attracts the females, the brighter, colourful and bigger the tail is; the more chance of mating it has. An example of sexual selection in humans is hairlessness. Although the loss of hair may have enabled us to keep cool in the hot weather by sweating, lack of hair meant we had to adapt to
There are many different species in the world which, according to Darwin, all came from one source, e.g. a bacteria or organism. Within each species, natural variation occurs, therefore the individual beings within the specie look different from one another. These differences are caused by genetic makeup (50% from your mum, 50% from your dad). There are some genes like down-syndrome that get switched on when combined with other genes. Some genes can also undergo mutation- a random change (e.g. being born with six fingers, instead of five). Most mutations are harmful, for example Siamese twins joined by the brain, but some like the cheetah’s spots are good, they make it easier for the cat to camouflage better. This mutation increased survival fitness; therefore it got passed on and became a permanent feature. The other cheetah’s without spot started dying out, as they could not camouflage as well as the spotted one, and got caught when stalking their prey. Evolution is the process of natural selection according to Darwin; it enables us to find mutations which help us survive. In addition to natural selection, Darwin also suggested that species evolve through sexual selection. Darwin suggested that animals would evolve through time and end up with physical and behavioural characteristics that allow them to survive efficiently and compete effectively with rivals. For example, the peacock’s tail appears to reduce its chance of survival as it attracts predators and hinders its flight. But the tail is what helps it survive, as it attracts the females, the brighter, colourful and bigger the tail is; the more chance of mating it has. An example of sexual selection in humans is hairlessness. Although the loss of hair may have enabled us to keep cool in the hot weather by sweating, lack of hair meant we had to adapt to