Topic 4 - Selective Breading Flashcards
What is selective breeding?
Selective breeding is when humans choose which organisms to breed to produce offspring with a certain desirable characteristic.
Give an example of a desirable characteristic in selective breeding.
Examples include:
* Animals with more meat
* Plants with disease resistance
* Plants with big flowers
What is the first step in the process of selective breeding?
Parents with desired characteristics are chosen.
What happens after the chosen parents are bred together in selective breeding?
From the offspring, those with desired characteristics are bred together.
What is the potential problem associated with selective breeding?
Selective breeding can lead to inbreeding.
How does inbreeding affect the gene pool?
Inbreeding reduces the gene pool as the number of different alleles decreases.
What risk does a reduced gene pool pose to a species?
It increases the risk of extinction if the environment changes or a new disease arises.
Why is the issue of a small gene pool particularly relevant in plants?
One disease could spread rapidly and destroy the entire population of crops.
What economic impact can arise from the issues caused by selective breeding in plants?
It can cause severe economic problems for farmers who rely on income from their crops.
What is another consequence of a small gene pool in selective breeding?
A greater chance of genetic defects being present in offspring.
Why do domesticated animals have a higher frequency of genetic conditions?
Due to the small gene pool resulting from selective breeding.
Fill in the blank: Selective breeding can lead to a reduction of the _______.
gene pool
True or False: Selective breeding always results in healthier offspring.
False
