Do Somatic Cells Really Sacrifice Themselves? Why an Appeal to Coercion May be a Helpful Strategy in Explaining the Evolution of Multicellularity

Abstract An understanding of the factors behind evolution multicellularity is one today’s frontiers in evolutionary biology. This because multicellular organisms are made subset cells with capacity to transmit genes next generation (germline cells) and another responsible for maintaining functionality organism, but incapable transmitting (somatic cells). The question arises: why do somatic sacrifice their lives sake germline cells? How germ/soma separation maintained? One conventional answer refers inclusive fitness theory, according which themselves altruistically, so doing they enhance transmission by virtue genetic relatedness cells. In present article we will argue that this explanation ignores key role policing mechanisms divide. Based on pervasiveness latter, altruistic limited our must be enriched through consideration coercion mechanisms.