Description should include
- an animal and plant breeding program's goal of producing the most desirable market product to meet the demands of the consumer
- genetic contribution toward the producer reaching this goal
- examples of breeding programs’ results, such as
- dwarf crop breeds
- increased milk production in cows
- increased body mass in livestock
- creation of exotic pets and designer breeds
- crop resistance to insects, diseases, bacteria, and viruses
- herbicide tolerance
- increased nutritional value of food crops
- production of medicines.
Process/Skill Questions:
- How has modern agriculture limited diversity in animal and plant breeding?
- What genetic traits are valued in animal breeding today? In plant breeding?
- What are some disadvantages of artificial selection/selective breeding?
- What are the advantages of dwarf crop breeds (e.g., corn, wheat)?
- Why would one use artificial insemination or embryo transfer?