Kin selection
Sterile worker honeybees spend their lives raising the queen's offspring instead of reproducing. How does evolution favor this behavior?
Answer A: explanation for every choice
A
Correct. Workers share many genes with their sisters, so raising them increases the workers' inclusive fitness.
B
The explanation depends on genetic relatedness.
C
Workers don't mate, so sexual selection doesn't explain their behavior.
D
Sterile workers have no offspring of their own.
TakeawayInclusive fitness = direct fitness + fitness gained by helping relatives.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID bb184.