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Species & Selective Breeding

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Species and Selective Breeding

A species is a group of individuals that can interbreed and have fertile offspring. When organisms breed together, they can ensure that desired characteristics are passed on to the next generation.

Species

Species

  • A species is a group of individuals that are able to interbreed and have fertile offspring.
  • For example, humans can breed and produce fertile offspring that are also able to breed.
Infertile offspring

Infertile offspring

  • Some organisms may look similar and appear to be able to breed.
  • However, the offspring of these organisms are not able to breed.
  • For example, horses and donkeys can interbreed.
  • The offspring of horses and donkeys is called a mule.
  • Mules cannot interbreed.
Selective breeding

Selective breeding

  • Humans can select desirable characteristics in an organism.
  • Humans can breed organisms to pass desirable characteristics to the next generation.
  • This process is called selective breeding.
How selective breeding works

How selective breeding works

  • In selective breeding, only individuals with the desired characteristics are allowed to breed.
  • Selective breeding creates a population of organisms with the desired characteristic.
Examples of selective breeding

Examples of selective breeding

  • Examples of selective breeding include:
    • Sheep with good quality wool
    • Cows with tasty milk
    • Chickens with large eggs
    • Maize that is resistant to disease
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