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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dawkins compare point mutation to?

2. What does longevity provide to an early molecule, according to Dawkins?

3. What game, played by computers, does Dawkins use as an example of things that can happen automatically based on rules?

4. How does Dawkins define communication?

5. What two opposites does Dawkins say he is examining the biology of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Dawkins find it statistically remarkable that an early molecule would arise that would copy itself?

2. What results in variety in Dawkins' view of early self-copying molecules?

3. Explain what a prober-retaliator is.

4. Explain Dawkins' argument for why cannibalism is very rare.

5. How does Dawkins view many-celled life forms?

6. In war of attrition scenarios, what is the best bet for individual behavior, according to Dawkins' reports?

7. Explain how the Watt Governor uses mechanics to regulate itself.

8. In ESS simulations, what happens when a hawk enters a stable group of doves?

9. How does Dawkins view whether fidelity is important to evolution?

10. What are the main actions living organisms do, as gene machines?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Dawkins' treatment of memes.

1) How does Dawkins apply theories of evolution to memes? How do memes differ from genes?

2) What role do memes play in human culture? Do memes play any role in other species' existence?

3) How do memes relate to Dawkins' theory of the selfish gene? Why does he discuss memes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the idea of a "gene machine" in The Selfish Gene.

1) Why does Dawkins make genes the dominant idea and organisms secondary to their genes?

2) What causes a "gene machine" to be successful or unsuccessful?

3) What causes change in "gene machines?" Why are they different from one another?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss gender and the relationships of mates in Dawkins' arguments.

1) Why does Dawkins present mates as competing with each other over the resources expended in care of offspring?

2) How does Dawkins analyze the attitudes of organisms towards mates and caring for offspring? Do his arguments seem convincing?

3) How much variation is there in the natural world regarding the relationships between mates?

(see the answer keys)

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