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A.6 Ethology

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Description

Nature of science:
  • Testing a hypothesis—experiments to test hypotheses on the migratory behaviour of blackcaps have been carried out. (1.9)
Understandings:
  • Ethology is the study of animal behaviour in natural conditions.
  • Natural selection can change the frequency of observed animal behaviour.
  • Behaviour that increases the chances of survival and reproduction will become more prevalent in a population.
  • Learned behaviour can spread through a population or be lost from it more rapidly than innate behaviour.
Applications and skills:
  • Application: Migratory behaviour in blackcaps as an example of the genetic basis of behaviour and its change by natural selection.
  • Application: Blood sharing in vampire bats as an example of the development of altruistic behaviour by natural selection.
  • Application: Foraging behaviour in shore crabs as an example of increasing chances of survival by optimal prey choice.
  • Application: Breeding strategies in coho salmon populations as an example of behaviour affecting chances of survival and reproduction.
  • Application: Courtship in birds of paradise as an example of mate selection.
  • Application: Synchronized oestrus in female lions in a pride as an example of innate behaviour that increases the chances of survival and reproduction of offspring.
  • Application: Feeding on cream from milk bottles in blue tits as an example of the development and loss of learned behaviour.
Guidance:
  • The seven applications in this sub-topic are intended to reinforce understanding of the general principles. The applications include a range of types of behaviour and types of animal. Other examples, including local examples that can be observed, should also be studied if possible.
 Theory of knowledge:
  • The “Just So” stories by Rudyard Kipling are literary explanations of animal behaviour. What are the features of a scientific explanation rather than a historical or literary explanation?
Utilizations:
Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Biology
Topic 5.2 Natural selection

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