Gorter, J.A. (2011) Kin Recognition: from microbes to humans. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.
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Abstract
Kin recognition is the ability to recognize the relatedness of another individual. Kin recognition prevents organisms from mating with related individuals to reduce inbreeding as well as enables parents to discriminate between their own young and those of others when it comes to care taking. Another function of kin recognition is connected to altruistic behaviors, preferentially towards related social partners. Hamilton’s rule of kin selection states that it is more rewarding to help related others [2]. These various behaviors related to kin recognition have been found in all kinds of organisms including microbes, insects and vertebrates. Mechanisms underlying kin recognition often rely on signaling from one individual to another using chemical cues that are genetically encoded. Because of this presence of kin recognition and high similarity of mechanisms in the different species, kin recognition seems to have arisen in an early step of evolution. This early evolutionary origin of kin recognition does not mean that all organisms use the same system but there are common themes. Besides the use of olfaction for communication, the chemical cues underlying kin recognition seem to be linked to molecules and mechanisms also used in immune functions.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Feb 2018 07:45 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2018 07:45 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/9629 |
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