Selection Artificial

Artificial selection

Artificial selection is selection for the desired characteristics of animals, plants or microorganisms for their further breeding. Artificial selection is the main factor in the emergence and evolution of domestic animals and cultivated plants.

For thousands of years, humans have been engaged in artificial selection, choosing for breeding individuals with the traits they need. This is how breeds of domestic animals with certain characteristics (for example, size, color, productivity) appeared, as well as varieties of cultivated plants with desired properties (yield, taste, disease resistance).

Thanks to long-term targeted selection using the method of artificial selection, man was able to significantly change the appearance of the wild ancestors of domestic animals and cultivated plants, adapting them to his needs and requirements. Thus, artificial selection is an important factor in the domestication and creation of crops.

Artificial selection is one of the types of selection (character selection) that is used to create new breeds of animals, plant varieties and strains of microorganisms by changing or destroying characteristics that prevent the reproduction of these organisms. Artificial selection is a key factor in the emergence and evolution of domestic and cultivated animals, plants and microorganisms.

Selection occurs through a comparative analysis of individuals of different generations in order to search for those whose offspring will better adapt to certain environmental conditions and compete more successfully for resources. Organisms that have desirable characteristics (i.e., characteristics that contribute to the survival, reproduction and increase in the number of the species) are left for procreation, and individuals with undesirable characteristics are destroyed. Thus, selection causes the evolution of organisms, adapting them to specific environmental conditions.

Artificial selection covers various areas of biology, including plant, animal and microbiology. One example of artificial selection is the creation of new plant varieties by crossing parents that have desired properties and then forming hybrids and seeds through selective crossbreeding. In animal husbandry, individuals are also crossed to produce hybrid animals with new characteristics. Microbiology is gaining attention for its innovations in drug and food production.

Although artificial selection is credited with playing a crucial role in the creation of many important cultural and scientific advances, its effectiveness cannot be impartially assessed through social, economic and environmental indicators. Besides,