AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred…
Full specification wording
Selective breeding: Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals.
Selective breeding is not a modern technique; it began thousands of years ago when humans first domesticated wild plants and animals.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 9
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Selective breeding is not a modern technique; it began thousands of years ago when humans first domesticated wild plants and animals. Early farmers saved seed from the best food crops and bred the most useful animals, gradually producing domesticated varieties. For example, wild grasses were selected over many generations to become cereal crops with larger grains and stronger stems, while wild cattle were selected for docility and milk production. This long history explains why many farmed species differ greatly from their wild ancestors. The underlying process is the same as modern selective breeding: humans choose which individuals reproduce, so desired inherited characteristics become more common in later generations.
What earns the marks
- Selective breeding has been practised by humans for thousands of years.
- Early farmers bred food crops from wild plants by saving and planting seed from preferred plants.
- Wild animals were domesticated by breeding individuals with useful characteristics such as docility or milk yield.
- Domestication produced populations that differ from their wild ancestors.
- The same principle of human selection has been used from early farming to modern agriculture.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Believing selective breeding is a recent scientific invention.
Put it right by stating that it began thousands of years ago with early farmers.
Thinking domesticated animals are a different species from their wild ancestors.
Put it right by explaining that domestication produced changed populations of the same species.
Assuming early farmers understood genes.
Put it right by stating that they selected visible characteristics without knowing about alleles.
Exam tips
- Use a historical example, such as wheat from wild grasses or dogs from wolves, to show that selective breeding is ancient.
- Link the historical practice to the modern definition by stating that humans have always chosen which individuals breed.
- Avoid claiming exact dates or places unless they are part of the specification; 'thousands of years' is sufficient.
Try the lesson
The start of the Selective breeding: Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How long have humans been selectively breeding plants and animals?
Listen
Selective breeding is not a modern technique; it began thousands of years ago when humans first domesticated wild plants and animals. Early farmers saved seed from the best food crops and bred the most useful animals, gradually producing domesticated varieties. For example, wild grasses were selected over many generations to become cereal crops with larger grains and stronger stems, while wild cattle were selected for docility and milk production. This long history explains why many farmed species differ greatly from their wild ancestors. The underlying process is the same as modern selective breeding: humans choose which individuals reproduce, so desired inherited characteristics become more common in later generations. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Selective breeding has been practised by humans for thousands of years. Early farmers bred food crops from wild plants by saving and planting seed from preferred plants. Wild animals were domesticated by breeding individuals with useful characteristics such as docility or milk yield. Domestication produced populations that differ from their wild ancestors. A common slip: Believing selective breeding is a recent scientific invention. Instead, stating that it began thousands of years ago with early farmers. Exam tip: Use a historical example, such as wheat from wild grasses or dogs from wolves, to show that selective breeding is ancient.
Key words
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Domestication of plants and animals
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Historical development of agriculture
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Human selection over many generations
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Change from wild ancestors to domesticated varieties
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See every definition
- Domestication of plants and animals
- Humans first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals thousands of years ago.
- Historical development of agriculture
- Humans have been breeding food crops from wild plants and domesticating animals for thousands of years.
- Human selection over many generations
- Humans choose which individuals reproduce, so desired inherited characteristics become more common in later generations.
- Change from wild ancestors to domesticated varieties
- Domestication produced populations that differ from their wild ancestors.
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