Selective breeding

• outline main steps in selective breeding

  1. identify desired characteristic
  2. select parent organisms that show the desired traits and breed them together
  3. select offspring with desired traits and breed them together
  4. process repeated until all offspring have the desired traits
• examples of characteristics selected for in selective breeding

  • disease resistance in crops
  • higher milk or meat production in animals
  • large flowers
• advantages of selective breeding

  creates organisms with desirable features
• where is selective breeding useful?

  • medical research
  • sport eg horse racing
  • agriculture
• outline the disadvantages of selective breeding

  • reduction in the gene pool (becomes harmful is sudden environmental change occurs)
  • inbreeding results in genetic disorders
  • development of physical problems
  • potential to unknowingly select harmful recessive alleles