Q42 - Positive vs Negative Frequency-Dependent Selection in Practice
Frequency-dependent selection is an evolutionary process where the fitness of a phenotype depends on its frequency relative to other phenotypes in a given population. In positive frequency-dependent selection, the fitness of a phenotype increases as it becomes more common. And in negative frequency-dependent selection, the fitness of a phenotype decreases as it becomes more common.
Using the information and data, determine which of the statements are true or which are false.
A. Plant self-incompatibility alleles are an example of negative frequency-dependent selection.
B. Spreading of a newly emerged virus in a human population is controlled by negative frequency-dependent selection.
C. Prevalence of Papilio memnon whose females resemble distasteful Papilio coon is an example of positive frequency-dependent selection.
D. Spread of genes responsible for warning coloration in toxic organisms in population is controlled by positive frequency-dependent selection.
Question reproduced from IBO 2016, Theoretical Paper A, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - attributed to the International Biology Olympiad. Open the full exam PDF · Community solutions (unofficial)