Feeding the human race

• What are the methods mentioned for improving crops and livestock?

  • Selective breeding
  • Genetic engineering
• What is the first step in selective breeding?

  Selection of the desired character
• What are the characteristics of wild wheat plants?

  • Small ears with few seeds
  • Ears ripen at different times
  • Stalks grow to different heights
• What are the characteristics of modern wheat plants?

  • Large ears with many seeds
  • Ears ripen at the same time
  • Stalks grow to the same height
• What is a benefit of selective breeding?

  It produces useful varieties of plants and animals
• What is a disadvantage of selective breeding?

  It can reduce the gene pool of a species
• What can happen due to reduced variation in selective breeding?

  Increased chance of inheriting genetic diseases