Artificial Selection

Artificial Selection

by David Lewis

​Student Learning Objectives

• ​Gather and synthesize information about selective breeding and other forms of technology that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms

Open Ended

What do you think Artificial Selection is?

Open Ended

Why do all of these dogs look different?

Use words such as: Genes, Traits, DNA, Parents, Offspring, Breeding, Artificial Selection

​How can traits be directly influenced?

• When humans breed organisms for food or for companionship, they are selecting variations that occur naturally in populations.

• ​The selection and breeding of organisms with desired traits is selective breeding.

• ​Selective breeding, sometimes referred to as artificial selection, is similar to natural selection except that humans, instead of nature, do the selecting.

​Selective Breeding (Artificial Selection)

• ​By breeding organisms with desired traits, humans change traits just as natural selection does.

  Examples: ​Cows with increased levels of milk production, dogs of different sizes, and roses of unique colors are products of selective breeding.

• ​Apples have been selectively bred for many years. Some varieties are sweeter than others while some are bigger and more resistant to disease.

Open Ended

Explain in 2-3 sentences what is the difference between Natural Selection and Artificial Selection?

Open Ended

What are some examples that people use Artificial Selection in real life?

​What is genetic engineering?

• ​Remember that chromosomes are made of DNA and are in the nucleus of a cell.

• ​Sections of DNA in chromosomes that direct activities are called genes.

• ​Scientists are experimenting with genetic engineering, the biological and chemical methods that change the arrangement of DNA that makes up a gene.

• ​Genetic engineering already is used to help produce medicine.

• ​Genes also can be inserted into cells to change how those cells perform their normal functions.

Poll

Do you think Genetic engineering is beneficial (good) for humans?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

​Uses for Genetically Modified Organisms

• ​Genetic engineering can produce improvements in crop plants such as corn, wheat and rice.

• ​Genetic engineered organisms are responsible for creating insulin.

• ​What is insulin?

• ​Insulin regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells.

Fears of GMO's?​

• ​Many people worry about possible health risks from the consumption of genetically modified crops.

• ​Because some people might prefer foods that are not changed genetically, some stores label GMO items.

• ​However, the Scientific consensus is that GMOs are safe.

• ​Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) regulates the safety of food for humans and animals, including foods produced from genetically engineered plants.

Poll

Do you think Genetic Engineering is safe for Humans?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

Multiple Choice

Which can the student add in the column under artificial selection to complete the chart?

• Ability to grow large kernels of corn, Ability to catch larger prey

• Ability to grow large kernels of corn, Ability to grow fruit that can be stored for long periods of time

• Ability to grow fruit that can be stored for long periods of time, Ability to catch larger prey

• Ability to catch larger prey, Ability to produce milk for offspring