Summary
Choosing parents with desirable traits over generations, the oldest form of biotechnology.
In depth
Choose parents with desired traits over many generations. Examples: dairy cows, wheat dwarf varieties of the Green Revolution, and dog breeds. Risks: inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity. Marker-assisted selection speeds it.
Traits chosen include yield, disease resistance and taste. Selection works only if the trait is heritable. Long generation times slow progress, which is why marker-assisted selection and genomic selection are used.
Common mistake: selective breeding does not create new genes, it concentrates existing variation.
Selective breeding, or artificial selection, means humans choose which individuals reproduce so that desired traits become more common. Over generations, dogs, cattle, wheat and brassicas have been transformed from wild ancestors.
The method relies on heritable variation. Its limits include slow progress, reduced genetic diversity, inbreeding depression and unwanted linked traits. Modern programmes use molecular markers and genomic selection to speed up choices.
Example: wild mustard was bred into cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower.
Key idea: Darwin used artificial selection as an analogy for natural selection; the difference is that humans, not the environment, set the selection pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is Selective Breeding?
Choosing parents with desirable traits over generations, the oldest form of biotechnology.
Which area of biology covers Selective Breeding, and how advanced is it?
Selective Breeding is one of the 56 topics in Biotechnology & Genomics. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Personalised Medicine, Genetic Engineering, Agrobacterium Transformation.
Can you give an example of Selective Breeding?
Modern broccoli derived from wild cabbage.
What should I learn before Selective Breeding?
Selective Breeding is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Biotechnology & Genomics that pair well with it include Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, GMOs.
What topics are related to Selective Breeding?
The closest topics to Selective Breeding are Personalised Medicine, Genetic Engineering, Agrobacterium Transformation, Biotechnology. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Selective Breeding?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Selective Breeding. To practise the whole of Biotechnology & Genomics, use the Biotechnology & Genomics quiz.
How is Selective Breeding different from Personalised Medicine?
Selective Breeding: Choosing parents with desirable traits over generations, the oldest form of biotechnology. Personalised Medicine: Tailoring treatment to a patient's genetic profile, for example in pharmacogenomics. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
What is a common mistake about Selective Breeding?
Selective breeding does not create new genes, it concentrates existing variation.
How should I study Selective Breeding step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Personalised Medicine and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Biotechnology & Genomics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.