BS Haldane (allegedly) once said, “I would lay down my life for two brothers or eight cousins.” Let’s assume that “laying down” one’s life results in a 99% probability of death, which can be considered a 99% fitness cost. Also assume that the service to Haldane’s kin increases their survival by 1% (i.e., the benefit is 1%). a) Given these parameterizations, what is the benefit to Haldane for “laying down his life” for one brother (2FB)? b) Given these parameterizations, what is the benefit to Haldane for “laying down his life” for one cousin (2FB)? c) Given these parameterizations, does it make sense for Haldane to “lay down his life” for eight cousins?
Evolutionary Genetics
Evolution is known as continuous changes that occur to adjust organisms in their changing environment over many generations. Various theories have been proposed to illustrate the origin of life and organic evolution. The most accepted one is the theory of natural selection by Charles Darwin. According to his postulate, organisms undergo a struggle for existence due to overproduction. To survive in nature, they acquire variations. The inheritable variations are selected by nature, and it leads to the survival of the fittest.
Phenotype Frequency
The majority of populations have a certain degree of variation in their genetic pools. Scientists can predict the genetic variation happening over time by measuring the amount of genetic variation in a population and these predictions assist them in gaining important insights into the processes that allow organisms to adapt to the environment or to develop into new species over generations. This process is referred to as the process of evolution.
Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium
The frequencies of allele and genotype were maintained constant from one generation to another due to the absence of other evolutionary forces. It is otherwise called the Hardy Weinberg principle the field of population genetics.
JBS Haldane (allegedly) once said, “I would lay down my life for two brothers or eight cousins.” Let’s assume that “laying down” one’s life results in a 99% probability of death, which can be considered a 99% fitness cost. Also assume that the service to Haldane’s kin increases their survival by 1% (i.e., the benefit is 1%).
Given these parameterizations, what is the benefit to Haldane for “laying down his life” for one brother (2FB)?
Given these parameterizations, what is the benefit to Haldane for “laying down his life” for one cousin (2FB)?
Given these parameterizations, does it make sense for Haldane to “lay down his life” for eight cousins?
The probability of both life and death is complex and depends on various factors like health, the environment, and more. The likelihood of life and death varies greatly from person to person and situation to situation.
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