What Role Did Slavery Play in the Empires of the Fifteenth

question 56

Essay

What role did slavery play in the empires of the fifteenth century?

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Definitions:

Anisogamy

Refers to sexual reproduction involving the fusion of two dissimilar gametes; individuals producing the larger gamete (eggs) are defined as female, and individuals producing the smaller gamete (sperm) are defined as male.

Operational Sex Ratio

The ratio of sexually receptive males to females in a population, affecting mating behavior and competition.

Opportunity For Selection

Refers to the variance in fitness within a population. When there is no variance in fitness, there can be no selection; when there is large variance in fitness, there is a great opportunity for selection. In this sense, the opportunity for selection constrains the intensity of selection that is possible.

Male Signal

A form of communication used by male animals to attract females, assert dominance, or deter rivals, often involving visual displays, sounds, or chemical signals.