Artificial selection can be defined as mechanism which involves isolation of individuals which the desired characteristics are bred to produce a phenotype with the desired characteristics
Describe and explain, using an example, the process of artificial selection.
- humans ; must be linked to, choosing / selecting / mating etc
- parents with desirable feature ;
- e.g. organism and feature ;
- bred / crossed ;
- select offspring with desirable feature ;
- repeat over many generations ;
- increase in frequency of desired allele(s) / decrease in frequency of undesired allele(s) ;
- background genes ;
- loss of hybrid vigour / increase in homozygosity / ref. inbreeding depression ;
Differences between natural and artificial selection
| Artificial selection | natural selection |
|---|---|
| Selection pressure applied is by humans | Environmental selection pressure |
| Genetic diversity is lowered | Genetic diversity remains high |
| Inbreeding is common | Outbreeding is common |
| inbreeding depression | less inbreeding depression |
| Increased homozygosity | Decreased homozygosity |
| Usually faster | Usually slower |
| Not for survival/evolution | Promotes survival/evolution |
| No isolation mechanisms operating | Isolation mechanisms do operate |