Selective breeding and evolution are two distinct processes that lead to different outcomes, although they share some similarities.
Selective breeding is a form of genetic manipulation that occurs under human control. It aims to produce offspring with desirable traits by selecting and breeding the individuals that exhibit those traits. This process has been used for thousands of years in agriculture to improve crop yield and produce domesticated animals with specific characteristics. Selective breeding involves breeding individuals that have the desired characteristics, such as high yield or disease resistance, and continuing the process with subsequent generations until the trait is fixed in the population. This process involves artificial selection since humans are controlling the breeding process to obtain desired traits.
On the other hand, evolution is a natural process that occurs in populations over time. It is a result of the interaction between genetic variation and environmental factors, which leads to changes in the frequency of different traits within a population. Evolution occurs through three main mechanisms: mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. Mutation creates genetic variation that can potentially lead to new traits in the population. Natural selection favors individuals with traits that make them better adapted to their environment, leading to the evolution of new species. Genetic drift is a random process that leads to the loss of genetic variation in small populations and can reduce a population’s ability to adapt to changes in its environment.
In conclusion, selective breeding and evolution differ in their origins, mechanisms, and outcomes. Selective breeding is a human-made process that aims to produce offspring with specific traits, while evolution is a natural process that describes the changes in population genetic variation over time. While both processes involve changes in genetic variants in a population, selective breeding involves artificial selection, while evolution involves natural selection.
Compare selective breeding and evolution
3 answers
Review the terms and their definitions in the Mini Glossary. Describe a living organism that depends on camouflage or mimicry to survive?
The Mini Glossary terms and definitions are:
1. Selective breeding: a process of breeding where humans choose which organisms will reproduce in order to produce offspring with desirable traits
2. Evolution: the process by which species change over time through genetic variation, natural selection, and adaptation
3. Camouflage: a physical adaptation that allows an organism to blend into its environment and avoid predators
4. Mimicry: a strategy adopted by an organism to resemble another organism or object in the environment for protection or other benefits.
An example of a living organism that depends on camouflage or mimicry to survive would be a leaf insect. These insects have a remarkable ability to resemble the leaves of plants they inhabit, making them practically invisible to predators. Their flat, elongated bodies and thin legs help them to mimic the shape of a leaf, and the patterns and colors on their bodies resemble the veins and edges of a leaf. The leaf insect's survival relies heavily on its camouflage, as it is less likely to be detected by predators such as birds, lizards, and spiders. This adaptation provides a great advantage to the leaf insect, making it easier to evade predators and survive in its habitat.
1. Selective breeding: a process of breeding where humans choose which organisms will reproduce in order to produce offspring with desirable traits
2. Evolution: the process by which species change over time through genetic variation, natural selection, and adaptation
3. Camouflage: a physical adaptation that allows an organism to blend into its environment and avoid predators
4. Mimicry: a strategy adopted by an organism to resemble another organism or object in the environment for protection or other benefits.
An example of a living organism that depends on camouflage or mimicry to survive would be a leaf insect. These insects have a remarkable ability to resemble the leaves of plants they inhabit, making them practically invisible to predators. Their flat, elongated bodies and thin legs help them to mimic the shape of a leaf, and the patterns and colors on their bodies resemble the veins and edges of a leaf. The leaf insect's survival relies heavily on its camouflage, as it is less likely to be detected by predators such as birds, lizards, and spiders. This adaptation provides a great advantage to the leaf insect, making it easier to evade predators and survive in its habitat.