Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

49. Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior

General Biology

49. Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior

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3:45 minutes

Problem 8

Textbook Question

A chorus of frogs fills the air on a spring evening. The frog calls are courtship signals.
What are the functions of courtship behaviors?
How might a behavioral ecologist explain the proximate cause of this behavior?
The ultimate cause?

Verified step by step guidance

Courtship behaviors, such as frog calls, serve the function of attracting mates and ensuring successful reproduction. These behaviors help individuals identify and select suitable partners, often based on specific traits or signals that indicate fitness or compatibility.

A behavioral ecologist would explain the proximate cause of frog calls by examining the immediate physiological or environmental triggers. For example, the proximate cause might involve the activation of vocal cords in response to hormonal changes during the breeding season or environmental cues such as temperature and daylight length.

To understand the ultimate cause, a behavioral ecologist would explore the evolutionary reasons behind the behavior. Frog calls likely evolved because they increase reproductive success by helping males attract mates, thereby passing on their genes to the next generation.

The behavioral ecologist might also study how frog calls are shaped by natural selection. For instance, louder or more complex calls might be favored if they are more effective at attracting mates, leading to greater reproductive success for individuals with those traits.

Finally, the ecologist could investigate how these behaviors contribute to the overall fitness of the species. By ensuring successful mating and reproduction, courtship behaviors like frog calls play a critical role in the survival and continuation of the species.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Courtship Behaviors

Courtship behaviors are specific actions performed by animals to attract mates. These behaviors can include vocalizations, displays, and physical movements that signal readiness to mate. In frogs, calls serve as a primary method of communication, allowing males to establish territory and attract females. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for studying reproductive strategies and species survival.

Proximate Causes

Proximate causes refer to the immediate, mechanistic reasons behind a behavior. In the context of frog calls, a behavioral ecologist might explain that hormonal changes triggered by environmental cues, such as temperature and light, lead to increased vocal activity during the breeding season. This biological response is essential for understanding how specific stimuli influence behavior at a physiological level.

Ultimate Causes

Ultimate causes address the evolutionary reasons behind a behavior, focusing on how it contributes to reproductive success and survival. For frog calls, the ultimate cause may involve attracting mates to ensure gene propagation and enhance genetic diversity. By examining these long-term benefits, ecologists can understand how certain behaviors have evolved and their significance in the context of natural selection.

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