Species & Selective Breeding
Science: KS3, topic 1.2.18
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 include:
- Sheep with good quality wool
- Cows with tasty milk
- Chickens with large eggs
- Maize that is resistant to disease
Test yourself on Species & Selective Breeding
What are the offspring of horses and donkeys called?
Select the true statement in each pair
Why does selective breeding produce a population with the desired characteristic over time?