Question

Allele Z codes for a cooperative behavior among full siblings. Recipients of this behavior receive a benefit of seven fitness units, and the behavior costs the donor three fitness units. Use Hamilton’s rule to determine whether allele Z will spread in the population.

Show your calculations and include the equation for Hamilton's rule.

Also include a concluding sentence/statement that explains your conclusion in terms of Hamilton's rule and fitness.

Answer 1

Hamilton's rule says the product of benefit and relatedness should be higher than the cost of the altruistic behaviour. If this condition is met only then the trait will increase in the population , if it is not higher the trait will tend to decrease in the he population.

Hamilton's equation = BR-C > 0

Where B = benefit to receipient

R = relatedness

C= cost

For full siblings relatedness is 1/2 as they share half of the genome of parents.

In this case, B = 7 units , and C = 3 units.

Do, BR-C>0

=> 7×1/2 - 3 >0

=> 3.5-3 >0

=> 0.5 > 0

So, Yes this trait will increase in the population.

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