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Multiple Choice
Why is there a trade-off between survivorship and fecundity in life history strategies?
A
Higher fecundity always leads to increased survivorship.
B
Organisms have limited energy resources that must be allocated between survival and reproduction.
C
Survivorship is only important in the early stages of life, while fecundity is important later.
D
Survivorship and fecundity are not related and do not affect each other.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of life history strategies: Life history strategies refer to the ways in which organisms allocate their energy and resources to growth, reproduction, and survival. These strategies are shaped by evolutionary pressures and environmental conditions.
Recognize the concept of trade-offs: In biology, a trade-off occurs when an organism allocates limited resources to one function at the expense of another. This is because resources such as energy and nutrients are finite.
Identify the relationship between survivorship and fecundity: Survivorship refers to the ability of an organism to survive to a certain age, while fecundity refers to the organism's reproductive output. Both are crucial for the continuation of a species, but they require energy and resources.
Explain the trade-off between survivorship and fecundity: Organisms have limited energy resources that must be divided between survival (maintaining health and avoiding predators) and reproduction (producing offspring). Investing more in one often means investing less in the other.
Conclude with the evolutionary perspective: Natural selection favors life history strategies that optimize the balance between survivorship and fecundity, depending on the environmental context and the organism's ecological niche. This balance ensures the best chance of passing on genes to the next generation.