IGNOU MZOE-02 (January 2026 – December 2026) Assignment Questions
1. What is mimicry? Explain its different types in animals with suitable examples.
2. a). What is classical conditioning? Write its components.
b). Discuss theroles played by some common vertebrate hormones inregulation of behaviour.
3. a). Explain the interrelationship of altruism and inclusive fitness.
b). What is reciprocal altruism? Give its any three examples.
4. Write short notes on:
i) Post-insemination mate guarding
ii) Evolutionary importance of sexual dimorphism
iii) Reproductive fitness
5. a). What is parental manipulation? Describe various ways in which parents manipulate their progeny.
b). Discuss the Hamilton Rule in the context of family relationships.
6. a). Differentiate between minimum and optimal standards of animal welfare.
b). Discuss the role of environmental coping issues in animal welfare.
7. Discuss the advantages and limitations of the Five Freedoms.
8. a) How can animal welfare assessment be used for continuous improvement in animal welfare?
b) What issues might conflict with the desires of zoos to provide good welfare for the species in their care?
9. a). What is meant by the term ‘resource holding potential’ (RHP) and list some common attributes that affect RHP.
b). Write three important signals that dogs give as a threat before they attack.
10. a). Describe three examples of cognitive responses that are indicative of emotional states and sentience in animals.
b). Describe how different ethical views might influence decisions to use animals in experiments.
IGNOU MZOE-02 (January 2025 – December 2025) Assignment Questions
1. a) According to Nikolaas Tinbergen, what are the four salient questions that should be asked while studying a behaviour?
b) What are instinctive behaviours? Give suitable example for the same.
2. a) Explain Tolman’s experiment and its results.
b) List the three main components of a feedback loop system.
3. a) Explain the important characteristics of social insects.
b) Give any four examples of altruistic behaviours.
4. Write short notes on:
i) Post-insemination mate guarding
ii) Evolutionary importance of sexual dimorphism
iii) Reproductive fitness
5. What is parental manipulation? Describe various ways in which parents manipulate their progeny.
6. Consider a dairy cow kept tethered all day, with food and water but without access to other cows. Describe the welfare of this animal from the perspective of her a) biological function, b) naturalness and c) feelings.
7. a) Explain the main frameworks currently used to determine animal welfare requirements.
b) Animals can experience fear and distress from their interactions with humans. Discuss the ways to help animals to minimize fear responses.
8. a) How can animal welfare assessment be used for continuous improvement in animal welfare?
b) What are the differences between requirements of welfare legislation and Codes of Practice?
9. a) Write three important signals that dogs give as a threat before they attack.
b) Describe how some negative consequences of past selection strategies have been reversed by changing the breeding strategy itself.
10. a) How do contractarian views differ from utilitarian ethical views?
b) Discuss the application of relational ethical thinking to our treatment of the rabbit in different contexts.
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