Question

Suppose you applied Hamilton’s logic to a situation in which one individual is past reproductive age. Could there still be selection for an altruistic act?

Short answer

The individual who has passed their reproductive age can select altruism act for any younger relative.

Step-by-step solution

Reproductive age

The age at which a woman has her first menstruation, and this menarche age in which the woman can bear a child, is called reproductive age (15 to 42 years).

Various female secondary sexual characteristics are pubic hair growth, breasts enlargement, wider hips, menstruation, ovaries releasing eggs, smaller heart, more body fat, and narrowing of shoulders.

Hamilton’s logic

In evolutionary biology, the widely-known concept that determines the direct relationship (proportional) between variation in average traits favored by natural selection within population and BR-C is called Hamilton’s logic.

The symbol B represents the benefit of the recipient, R is identified as relatedness (shared genes), and C is represented by cost to the altruist. The female cub has a well-nourished cub, but along with that, she also cares about her sister’s offspring (cub).

The chance of her cub being reduced by compensating for the loss of her child is an example of altruism in Hamilton’s rule.

Altruism

When a living being costs themselves regarding the consequences for the welfare of other individuals is referred to as a practice of unselfish concern is called altruism.

The older individual has a lower cost of performing altruism; this individual has already reproduced and takes care of a child or grandchild.