Help on my anthro class?

Question

From an evolutionary perspective, why is menopause unusual? Include information about other species. Give an evolutionary explanation for why menopause occurs in humans.

What is the proximate cause of menopause in humans? Give specific figures.

Answer 1

One reason why menopause is odd in humans is that our life expectancy has been increasing gradually, we are living longer and longer.  Previously humans would not live into their 40's and beyond.  The success of a specie depends on their ability to procreate, that is their one goal in life. Women have a set number of ovum that they can release throughout their lifetime, once they have been released they are no longer able to bear children and their purpose is complete.  Majority of animals have a short life expectancy compared with humans, so therefore they mature more rapidly, a human is not an adult until they are 24 yrs of age, a dog reaches maturity by the age of 3 yrs of age. Once the specie has matured the mother has fullfiled her duty to her species and may die.   Hope this helps a bit, you should get a start from here.

Answer 2

Gorillas also have menopause. It is unusal that people are biologically stopped from reproducing. Menopause may occur in humans to increase the fitness of their children's children, since they all would the same genes, helping a child with their child still increases the individuals genetic fitness. Women are born with a set number of eggs, when they run out, periods stop, hence menopause