View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Dawkins argue for communication being selfish?

2. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, how does he describe the creation of new DNA by sexual reproduction?

3. What apparently selfish act of the penguin does the author describe?

4. Why does Dawkins say kind or cooperative behavior arises?

5. When a cell creates a sperm cell or egg cell with reduced DNA, what is the process called?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the main actions living organisms do, as gene machines?

2. How does Dawkins view many-celled life forms?

3. Describe the results of the intruder retreat experiment done by Niko Tinbergen.

4. Explain how the Watt Governor uses mechanics to regulate itself.

5. In ESS simulations, what happens when a hawk enters a stable group of doves?

6. What two ways does Dawkins picture that the first self-copying molecule might copy itself?

7. What results in variety in Dawkins' view of early self-copying molecules?

8. In Dawkins' metaphor about DNA, what is the role of page numbers?

9. Explain what a prober-retaliator is.

10. Why doesn't Dawkins find it statistically remarkable that an early molecule would arise that would copy itself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Darwin's treatment of siblings in The Selfish Gene.

1) In what ways are siblings in competition? Why doesn't competition between siblings typically escalate to deadly competition?

2) In what ways do siblings cooperate or benefit each other?

3) How do the relationships between siblings vary between species in the natural world, and how does this relate to Dawkins' overall theory.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Dawkins' treatment of memes.

1) How does Dawkins apply theories of evolution to memes? How do memes differ from genes?

2) What role do memes play in human culture? Do memes play any role in other species' existence?

3) How do memes relate to Dawkins' theory of the selfish gene? Why does he discuss memes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the elements that contribute to survival in an evolutionary system.

1) What role does fecundity play in evolutionary survival? Why does fecundity play and important role? How is its role different in molecular reproduction and in the lives of complex organisms?

2) What role does fidelity play in evolutionary survival? What role does it play in evolutionary change?

3) What role does longevity play in evolutionary survival? How is longevity different in a system of molecules in competition, versus in a system of organisms in competition?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample