Which of the following best describes an advantage of artificial selection? Can increase the variation in a certain species Helps produce offspring having desired traits Helps produce offspring who do not suffer from diseases Can make species immune to changes in the environment
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The option that best describes an advantage of artificial selection is: Helps produce offspring having desired traits. Artificial selection, also known as selective breeding, is a process where humans choose specific organisms with desirable traits to reproduce, with the aim of amplifying those traits in the resulting offspring. For instance, farmers may select the biggest and healthiest livestock for breeding to ensure that their offspring also grow to be larger and healthier. This does not necessarily increase the variation in a species; in fact, it can decrease genetic diversity because only certain organisms are chosen to pass on their genes. It does not guarantee that the offspring will not suffer from diseases, nor does it make the species immune to environmental changes. However, it can indirectly influence these aspects if the traits being selected for include disease resistance or adaptability to certain environmental conditions.
Extra: Artificial selection has been used for thousands of years in agriculture and animal husbandry to enhance production, aesthetic qualities, or functionality. For example, different dog breeds have been developed through artificial selection based on desired traits such as size, temperament, or herding ability. In crops, artificial selection is used to create varieties that yield more produce or are resistant to certain pests. However, this process differs from natural selection, which occurs without human intervention where the environment "selects" individuals best adapted to survive. One downside of artificial selection is that by focusing on certain traits, genetic diversity can be reduced, which may make the population more susceptible to diseases or changes in the environment, as there might be fewer genetic variations available to adapt to new threats or challenges.