Critical Thinking Activities - Chapter 22

Question 1. Consider the example of Darwin's finches given in the earlier evolution chapter. One finch was called the "woodpecker finch" because it would use a twig to pry out grubs from holes in trees. Not all finches of this species exhibit the behavior, and most fledgelings do not. In addition, there is some variation in how the woodpecker finches handle the "tool"; some toss it away after each try while others carry it as with nesting material. Is this behavior innate or learned? Is it justified to state that the bird is thinking the same thoughts that we would be thinking if we were trying to pry out a morsel of food?

Question 2. Consider the hypothetical situation of having to decide whether to save a drowning person. You are not a good swimmer so the chance of yourself drowning is one-in-ten. We will propose an "altruism gene" that promotes this behavior. Since there is a 1/10th chance of dying, the chance that this gene will be passed on depends on how closely related is the person you are saving. To keep the gene in our population over time, and recalling basic genetics principles, should we jump in to save a sibling (brother or sister), a cousin, a niece or nephew, etc.?

Answers are available to instructors in the Instructor's Manual.
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