Introduction to Animal Breeding

Question 1

Genetic gain is:

Answer 1

the amount of improvement from one generation to the next

Question 2

The three areas of genetics are:

Answer 2

Mendelian, Populational, and Quantitative

Question 3

Who is the founder of animal breeding?

Answer 3

Sir Robert Bakewell

Question 4

Who is the father of genetics?

Answer 4

Gregor Mendel

Question 5

Who is the father of MODERN animal breeding?

Answer 5

Jay L. Lush

Question 6

True or False. The goal of animal breeding and genetic gain is to increase the individual’s average.

Answer 6

False. The population’s average needs to improve. Not individual.

Question 7

Mating can be defined as:

Answer 7

Selecting which male to be bred to which female

Question 8

Population can be defined as:

Answer 8

A group of intermating individuals

Question 9

What is the importance of a breeding goal?

Answer 9

To specify which desired traits want to be improved by the producer

Question 10

A trait is:

Answer 10

An observable/measurable characterstic

Question 11

Examples of traits are:
A) Horns/polled
B) Coat color
C) Weaning weight
D) A and B
E) B and C

Answer 11

E) B and C

Question 12

A phenotype is defined as:

Answer 12

Any observed category or measured level of performance for a trait.

Question 13

A phenotype is defined as:

Answer 13

Any observed category or measured level of performance for a trait.

Question 14

Examples of phenotypes are:
A) Horned
B) Red hair
C) Calving ease
D) A and C
E) A and B

Answer 14

E) A and B

Question 15

What is the BASIC breeding equation? (hint: for phenotype)

Answer 15

P = G + E

Question 16

True or False. Animal breeding and reproduction are the same

Answer 16

False!

Question 17

Seedstock productions provide:

Answer 17

The best genetics

Question 18

Commercial producers:

Answer 18

Drive breeding objectives

Question 19

Define animal breeding:

Answer 19

The process of selective breeding of domestic animals to improve desirable (and heritable) qualities in the next generation

Question 20

Who created breeding values?

Answer 20

Charles R. Henderson

Question 21

What are the two key concepts of animal breeding?

Answer 21

Selection and Mating

Question 22

Define Selection:

Answer 22

Determining which individuals become parents

Question 23

What are the two kinds of selection?

Answer 23

Natural and Artificial

Question 24

True or False. Artificial selection is humans selecting the parents by culling and displacement selection

Answer 24

False! Humans use culling and REPLACEMENT selection

Question 25

Define Mating:

Answer 25

Determining which (selected) male will be bred to which (selected) female

Question 26

Define population:

Answer 26

A group of intermating individuals of the same species

Question 27

Define Trait:

Answer 27

Any measurable/observable feature

Question 28

Where does gene flow begin in the breeding structure pyramid?

Answer 28

At the nucleus/seedstockers

Question 29

Where does demand flow begin?

Answer 29

At the bottom or producers/farmers/commercial operations

Question 30

Who drives breeding objectives in the beef cattle industry?

Answer 30

The bottom or producers/farmers/commercial operations

Question 31

What is a breeding goal?

Answer 31

Specification of traits to be improved including the emphasis given to each trait

Question 32

What are the 6 steps in the breeding cycle/program?

Answer 32

- The production system - The breeding goal - Data/phenotypes collection - Selection - Dissemination/spreading genes - Evaluation

Question 33

_________ and __________ are the two main concepts of animal breeding and are used to improve the _____________ of the selected herd animal(s).

Answer 33

Selection. Mating. Population.

Question 34

What are possible phenotypes for the trait of eye color?

Answer 34

Green, blue, brown, hazel

Question 35

What are possible phenotypes of the trait of coat color?

Answer 35

Black, red, roan, grey (at least for cattle)