AP Biology 8.1.B: Behavior and Fitness
Practise AP Biology 8.1.B questions by connecting communication and behavioral responses with survival, reproductive success and population fitness.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Biology
Exam points
- explain how visual, audible, tactile, electrical or chemical signals change the behavior of other organisms
- connect innate, learned and cooperative behaviors with survival, reproductive success and individual fitness
- use behavioral data to infer signaling effects, selection pressures and consequences for population success
8.1.B—Explain how the behavioral responses of organisms affect their overall fitness and may contribute to the success… question 1
[Maximum number: 1]
Many insects rely on pheromones (chemical signals) that are released by the females to find
mating partners. Scientists hypothesize that, in a certain type of moth, the behavior of male
moths in response to pheromones is regulated by the extracellular signaling molecule 20E.
D.
Use evidence from the information provided to support the scientists' claim.
(i) Expression of the gene encoding DopEcR is low in the male moths during their first few
days as adults, when they are sexually immature. Gene expression rapidly increases as the
moths reach sexual maturity. The scientists claim that this increase in gene expression
increases the likelihood of males finding females with whom to mate. Use evidence from
the information provided to support the scientists' claim.
Examples of acceptable responses may include the following:
- (Increased expression of DopEcR) will increase oriented activity (and the moths' ability
to find a mate).
- (An increase in DopEcR expression) will make the males more sensitive to
pheromones from the females.
- (An increase in DopEcR expression) will enable the binding of 20E to more receptors
and will make the males more sensitive to pheromones from the females.
Point D1
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