Question

Discuss the importance of artificial selection in the derivation of the concept of natural selection.

Answer 1

Artificial selection is a process in which man selects particular desired traits for breeding, in order to generate new plants/ animals with improved characters. A process in which humans consciously select for or against particular features in organisms is known as artificial selection. Natural selection is applicable to all organisms including humans, in which nature selects an organism having all possible traits required for survival but in Artificial selection, man selects an organism having the trait of his interest The human may allow only organisms with the desired feature to reproduce or may provide more resources to the organisms with the desired feature. This process causes evolutionary change in the organism and is analogous to natural selection. It produces disease - resistant plants with better quality and higher yield. It is also used in research to produce transgenic animals that breed “true”. In agriculture, superior corn, wheat and sovbenas are the result of selective breeding. The Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collards and kale) are great examples of artificial selection.