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Related Concept Videos

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
Formation of Species01:31

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.Allopatric SpeciationIn allopatric speciation, gene flow between two populations of the same species is prevented by a geographic barrier, like...
Dosage Compensation02:50

Dosage Compensation

In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with  distinct numbers of X chromosomes will have...
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
Hardy-Weinberg Principle01:49

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.In the early 20th century,...
Mate Choice01:20

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
05:39

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Sex allocation: evolution to and from dioecy.

Lynda F Delph1

  • 1Department of Biology, Jordan Hall, 1001 East Third Street, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. ldelph@indiana.edu

Current Biology : CB
|March 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Hermaphroditic plants adjust their reproductive strategies when males are removed. They increase investment in male functions to maintain reproductive success in changing populations.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Plant reproductive strategies
  • Sex allocation theory

Background:

  • Sex allocation theory predicts that hermaphrodites should adjust their investment in male and female functions based on the relative success of each.
  • Understanding how environmental changes, such as the frequency of unisexuals, influence sex allocation is crucial for evolutionary studies.

Discussion:

  • This study demonstrates a direct response in sex allocation by hermaphrodites to the removal of males.
  • The findings support evolutionary predictions regarding adaptive plasticity in reproductive strategies.

Key Insights:

  • Hermaphrodites increase allocation to male function when male partners are experimentally removed.
  • This adaptive response highlights the flexibility of reproductive strategies in plants.

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Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
05:39

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Manipulation of Ploidy in Caenorhabditis elegans
07:54

Manipulation of Ploidy in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: March 15, 2018

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
09:34

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

Outlook:

  • Further research can explore the genetic mechanisms underlying this adaptive sex allocation.
  • Investigating population-level consequences of such shifts in sex allocation is warranted.