Some ant colonies consist of a queen, who performs all reproductive duties for the colony, and worker ants, who perform all the labor that the colony needs to gather food, expand and defend territory, and survive. The worker ants are also able to-but do not-contribute reproductively to the colony. In a colony like this, the worker ants will give their lives to defend the queen.

What is the most likely explanation for the altruistic behavior of the worker ants?

A.

kin selection

B.

social exchange

C.

social responsibility

D.

reciprocity norm

Question

English

Bryanna Glenn

21 October, 03:27

Some ant colonies consist of a queen, who performs all reproductive duties for the colony, and worker ants, who perform all the labor that the colony needs to gather food, expand and defend territory, and survive. The worker ants are also able to-but do not-contribute reproductively to the colony. In a colony like this, the worker ants will give their lives to defend the queen.

What is the most likely explanation for the altruistic behavior of the worker ants?

A.

kin selection

B.

social exchange

C.

social responsibility

D.

reciprocity norm

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Devan · Answer 1

The correct answer is letter A. Kind selection refers to the altruistic behavior of the worker ants that at the cost of their lives would defend the queen ant that is responsible for reproduction. Kin selection is an evolutionary strategy that enables organisms to ensure that reproduction of their species will be continuous and that they will produce viable offpsrings that would contribute to their colony.