Selective Breeding

IGCSE Edexcel Biology
5.10-5.11 Selective Breeding
Key Concept: Selective breeding increases the frequency of desired characteristics in plants and animals.

Section A: Definition

1. Define selective breeding (artificial selection). [2]

Section B: Method

2. Outline the main steps used in selective breeding. [4]

Section C: Examples and Issues

3. Give one plant example and one animal example of selective breeding and the desired trait. [2]
4. State one advantage and one disadvantage of selective breeding. [2]
Total marks: 10

Mark Scheme

1. Choosing parents with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits [2]
2. Select parents, breed, select best offspring, repeat over generations (any four steps) [4]
3. Any valid examples, e.g. wheat for high yield, cows for high milk yield [2]
4. Advantage: improved yield/quality; disadvantage: reduced genetic variation/inbreeding issues [2]