Some Mammals Give Birth to One Offspring at a Time

question 52

Multiple Choice

Some mammals give birth to one offspring at a time, and others to larger litters. Since more offspring per birth could mean higher reproductive success, why doesn't natural selection favor large litters in all mammals?

• A) Natural selection does this; most mammals will eventually evolve the ability to have multiple offspring per litter.
• B) The number of offspring per litter has no effect on reproductive success because in most cases only one survives anyway.
• C) Reproducing involves a number of trade-offs, including quantity (number) versus quality of offspring. Larger litters mean lower-quality individual offspring.
• D) It is not possible to change the number of offspring per litter in mammals; all mammals have about the same number of offspring.

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Definitions:

Physical Stimulation

The process of exciting or invigorating the body or any of its parts via a physical act or input.

Sex Drive

The natural human interest in sexual activities and desire for sexual activity, influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.

Low Levels

Refers to a lesser quantity or intensity of something, often used in scientific and medical contexts to describe insufficient amounts or concentrations.

Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder

A sexual dysfunction characterized by a lack of sexual interest and reduced sexual arousal in women, impacting their psychological well-being.