Pearson Edexcel IGCSE · Biology

Selective breeding: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Selective breeding.

10 questions28 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

In the process of selective breeding, what is the specific role of the human breeder?

Question 2

1 mark

Which of the following describes a significant biological disadvantage of selective breeding in agricultural animals?

Question 3

1 mark

When selectively breeding sheep to increase wool quality, why is it necessary for the breeder to select offspring over many generations rather than just one?

Question 4

1 mark

When starting a program of selective breeding in sheep to increase wool quality, what is the first step the farmer must take?

Question 5

1 mark

What is typically the first step when a farmer begins a selective breeding programme to improve the yield of a crop?

Question 6

4 marks

Describe the basic process used by a farmer to selectively breed a variety of tomato plant that produces larger fruits.

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Question 7

5 marks

Explain how selective breeding can be applied in animal farming to improve the efficiency of meat production.

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Question 8

5 marks

Compare selective breeding with natural selection, highlighting a key difference in the driving force and the outcome for the species.

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Question 9

4 marks

A plant breeder wants to develop a new variety of wheat that has a short stem and a high grain yield.
a) Describe the steps the breeder would take to produce this variety using selective breeding.
b) Explain why this process must be repeated over many generations.

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Question 10

5 marks

While selective breeding is beneficial for food production, it can lead to biological problems.
a) Explain how selective breeding reduces the gene pool of a population.
b) State two potential disadvantages for animals that have been highly selectively bred.

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