In Most Vertebrates,full Siblings Share as Many Genes with Each

question 30

Essay

In most vertebrates,full siblings share as many genes with each other,on average,as each one does with either parent.One might predict that serious conflict between siblings should be rare and altruistic behavior should be the norm,given that siblings share the same "genetic interests." As anyone who has ever had a brother or sister knows,this is not always the case.In fact,in a number of bird species,notably eagles and other raptors (birds of prey),females usually lay two eggs; soon after hatching,the larger chick pushes the other chick out of the nest,or otherwise attacks it and tries to kill it.(This behavior is known as Cainism,after the Bible story of Cain and Abel.)Generate a hypothesis to explain this behavior in evolutionary terms.Can you apply this hypothesis to human behavior?

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Definitions:

Price Ceiling

A legal maximum price that can be charged for a product or service, intended to protect consumers from high prices.

Consumer Surplus

The discrepancy between what consumers are ready and capable of spending for a good or service, as shown by the demand curve, and the actual amount paid by them, known as the market price.

Producer Surplus

The difference between what producers are willing to accept for a good or service versus what they actually receive, due to market prices.

Total Surplus

The aggregate benefit to society, constituted by the addition of consumer and producer surplus, derived from the creation and utilization of goods and services.