57 pages. A thesis presented to the Departments of chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Science, Spring 2014.Sexual reproduction plays a significant role in how many organisms pass on
their genetic information by introducing diversity into the genomes of offspring. With
sexual reproduction also comes the opportunity for conflict, however, as females and
males counter-adapt to each other to fulfill their own fitness needs. This study uses the
nematode Caenorhabditis remanei as a model organism to investigate female responses
to mating at both the behavioral and genetic levels. Using behavioral assays and RNAseq,
we found that mating causes females to eat more and move less than their virgin
counterparts. These adaptations are likely the result of a pathway in response to mating
that confers a fitness benefit to these females
