Altruism (biology)

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/altruism-biology

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the evolutionary mechanism?Kin selection, driven by Hamilton's rule (rB > C) and inclusive fitness
2. What is the origin of term?Coined by Auguste Comte, derived from Italian 'altrui' (somebody else)
3. What is altruism in biology?In biology, altruism is when one animal does something that helps another animal grow or survive, but it makes it harder for the first animal to have babies or survive itself.
4. Why do animals help their relatives?Animals often help relatives because they share many of the same genes. By helping a sibling or cousin, they help their shared genes survive.

Inclusive Fitness: The sum of an individual's direct and indirect fitness, accounting for relatives' reproductive success.
Hamilton's Rule: A mathematical model predicting when altruistic behavior towards kin will be favored by natural selection.
Reciprocal Altruism: Altruistic behavior between unrelated individuals, contingent on future reciprocation.