Essay MMS3101 : Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and Disease – Medical Science Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

Task: 

1. As discussed in the Week 1 Lecture, tutorial and the reading, Barrett et al. (2002) state that natural selection is “based on just three premises and their logical consequences”. Please describe in your own words (paraphrase) each of these 3 principles of natural selection (6 marks [2 marks each]).

Principle of Variation:
Principle of Inheritance:
Principle of Adaptation:
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2. Describe a specific example where natural selection is likely to have produced a specific trait, feature or behaviour. In your example make sure you use the 3 principles of natural selection described in Question 1 (marks 6).
(max 300 words total)

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3. Evolutionary medicine is a new discipline; however, it has deep roots in the history of evolutionary thought. Detail below the history of evolutionary medicine (marks 6). (max 300 words total)

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4. Evolutionary theory proposes that we are more likely to cooperate with our kin and cooperating with kin is more likely to be beneficial. However, in modern societies less and less of our lives are spent in contact with our relatives, so is this evolutionary prediction still supported? From your readings provide research evidence for or against the proposition that kin are more likely to help each other and any benefits or disadvantages (e.g., survival and reproduction) associated with this help (10 marks). (max 500 words total)

5. We identified two fields of study we are bringing together in this evolutionary medicine unit: they were human behavioural ecology and evolutionary psychology. Below are 4 questions about these disciplines. Please tick 1 box for each of these 4 questions.

a. Which of these disciplines focuses on the differences in reproductive success between individuals? (please tick 1 box)

•  Human behavioural ecology
•  Evolutionary psychology
   

b. What is the parent discipline of evolutionary psychology? (please tick 1 box)

•  Social Psychology
•  Developmental psychology
•  Cognitive psychology
•  Clinical psychology

c. Which discipline is interested in whether an individual’s behaviour conforms to evolutionary predictions? (please tick 1 box)
 Human behavioural ecology
 Evolutionary psychology
(marks 1)
d. Which discipline is interested in the specific psychological mechanisms that cause a behaviour? (please tick 1 box)

•  Human behavioural ecology
•  Evolutionary psychology

(marks 1)

6. In Week 2 we discussed parental investment. Below is a list of 8 behaviours, 4 would be considered measures of parental investment according to the broader definition of parental investment provided by Clutton-Brock (1991). Which of the listed behaviours would be considered a measure of parental investment? (please tick 4 boxes)

•  Breastfeeding a child
•  Attracting a mate to produce a child
•  Storing of fat necessary to have a child
•  Attachment or bonding between parents and infants

•  Competition between males to mate with a female and produce a child
•  Education for a child
•  Developing reproductive organs to produce a child
•  Risk associated with protecting a child
   

7. We discussed how sexual selection could operate via two different processes. Please state and describe what the 2 forms or types of sexual selection were called (different terms were used in the reading and lecture, both are acceptable) and for each type of sexual selection provide 3 examples of a feature that has evolved via this process (2 of these traits must be in females i.e. 4 examples from females) (marks 6).

8. In the reading on gossip in the Tsimane of Bolivia, negative gossip was associated with lower attractiveness ratings of women. However, women who were rated as being promiscuous were not rated as being less attractive. Rucas et al. (2006) gave several reasons why the association between promiscuity and reduced attractiveness was not found. Please critically evaluate 2 possible reasons why promiscuity was not associated with lower attractiveness ratings (marks 8).

9. Based on the Lecture, Catalyst’s Friendship documentary and readings, please explain Dunbar’s Social Brain Hypothesis and how brains, gossip and friends fit into it
(max 500 words total) (10 marks)

10. In 1969 the US Surgeon General stated that society and medicine could close the book on infectious diseases. Please explain below:

(a) what did the surgeon general mean by this statement? (3 marks)
(max 100 words)

(b) from the perspective used in this unit explain why it is misguided (7 marks)
(max 500 words)

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11. In the “Superbugs” Four Corners documentary we saw superbugs in action in Australia.
(a) Please detail one example from the documentary; include the name of the infection and the micro-organism (if given), how it was (probably) contracted, and consequences for the patient and how they dealt with the infection when antibiotics no longer work. (5 marks). (max 300 words)

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(b) In your opinion, which of these superbugs is of the greatest threat to Australia? Support your opinion with evidence.