What is the role of such sexual selection from an evolutionary standpoint?

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There is a fierce competition among individuals within any species, humans included, to gain access to reproductive privileges. The “fittest” – a term that signifies the largest, prettiest, and most sexually attractive members, succeed in predominantly mating and having offspring, while the less attractive ones often do not. What is the role of such sexual selection from an evolutionary standpoint?
Instead of engaging in fights over potential mates, what would be the problem of simply mating with family members, say, siblings and other relatives? Isn’t this a more efficient way to spread genes, without the added peril of having to find potential mates, which could be a dangerous, strenuous, and uncertain activity? Why not take that and “run?”

Would you consider a virus living or non-living?

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Would you consider a virus living or non-living? Why? How does this agree or disagree with classification scheme applied by the scientific community?

What are some of the ways cells communicate similar to the ways we humans communicate with other people or with an organization?

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What are some of the ways cells communicate similar to the ways we humans communicate with other people or with an organization? How are they different?

Which of the following is the best hypothesis for this experiment?

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A group of medical researchers investigated the effects of Drug X on lowering cholesterol levels in a group of men between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. The researchers did the following experiment and obtained the indicated results: One group of 150 men took a tablet containing Drug X for 3 weeks – 95 of these men decreased their cholesterol levels by at least 10% (three men from this group dropped out of the study). Another group of 150 men was given a tablet with no added Drug X for 3 weeks – 10 of these men decreased their cholesterol levels by at least 10% (two men from this group dropped out of the study).
Which of the following is the best hypothesis for this experiment?
a) Will drug X lower cholesterol levels in men between the age of 50 and 70 years?
b) Drug X will lower cholesterol levels in men.
c) Since high cholesterol levels significantly increases several health risks for men, drug X is most likely beneficial.
d) Men between the age of 50 and 70 years will have reduced cholesterol levels if they take drug X over a 3 week period.
e) There is no significant difference in cholesterol levels between men that take drug X and those that don’t take it.
Which of the following was the control group in this experiment?
a) The amount of Drug X contained in the tablet
b) The number of participants in each group at the end of the experiment
c) The group of participants that received tablets containing Drug X
d) The group of participants that received tablets that did not contain Drug X
e) The number of participants in each group at the beginning of the experiment
Which of the following is a dependent variable in this experiment?
a) The amount of Drug X contained in the tablet
b) Participants that received tablets containing Drug X
c) The average age of the participants
d) Number of participants in each group at the beginning of the experiment
e) Blood pressure
Which of the following is anindependent variable in this experiment?
a) The amount of Drug X contained in the tablet
b) Participants that received tablets containing Drug X
c) The average age of the participants
d) Number of participants in each group at the beginning of the experiment
e) Blood pressure