Here's a breakdown:
* Selective breeding is a process where humans intentionally breed organisms with specific traits to produce offspring with those desired characteristics.
* This process is also known as artificial selection, because it's guided by human intervention, unlike natural selection, which is driven by environmental pressures.
* Over generations, selective breeding can lead to significant changes in the traits of a species, as desirable characteristics are passed down and become more common.
Examples of selective breeding include:
* Domestic animals: Breeding dogs for specific temperaments and appearances (e.g., a golden retriever for its friendly nature, a German Shepherd for its herding instincts).
* Crops: Breeding wheat for high yield, disease resistance, or specific nutritional qualities.
* Medicinal plants: Breeding plants for increased medicinal compounds.
It's important to note that selective breeding can also have unintended consequences. For example, inbreeding (breeding closely related individuals) can lead to increased susceptibility to diseases and genetic disorders.