INBRED POPULATION Meaning and
Definition
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An inbred population refers to a group of individuals within a species that have a high degree of genetic relatedness due to continuous mating between closely related individuals over an extended period. This population typically exhibits reduced genetic diversity compared to outbred populations, where individuals have more diverse sets of genetic material. The term "inbred population" is commonly used in the field of genetics and population biology.
Inbreeding occurs when individuals with shared ancestry reproduce, leading to an increased likelihood of offspring inheriting identical or similar genomic regions. Over time, this can result in a reduction of heterozygosity, which refers to the presence of different forms of a particular gene within an organism's genome. In addition, inbreeding often leads to an increased expression of deleterious traits, such as genetic disorders or susceptibility to diseases, due to the unmasking of recessive alleles.
Inbred populations can arise in various scenarios, including small isolated populations, captive breeding programs, or restricted mating choices within a community. The lack of genetic diversity within an inbred population makes it more vulnerable to environmental changes and less capable of adapting to new conditions. Conservation efforts often prioritize maintaining genetic diversity in populations to increase their resilience and long-term survival.
Common Misspellings for INBRED POPULATION
- unbred population
- jnbred population
- knbred population
- onbred population
- 9nbred population
- 8nbred population
- ibbred population
- imbred population
- ijbred population
- ihbred population
- invred population
- innred population
- inhred population
- ingred population
- inbeed population
- inbded population
- inbfed population
- inbted population
- inb5ed population
- inb4ed population
Etymology of INBRED POPULATION
The word "inbred" is derived from the prefix "in-" meaning "not" or "non-", and the verb "breed", which means to produce offspring through sexual reproduction.
The term "inbred population" refers to a group of individuals who have been mating within the same community or closely related genetic pool for multiple generations. The notion of inbreeding itself can be traced back to early agricultural practices where mating related animals (e.g., siblings or parents with offspring) was occasionally done intentionally to maintain certain desired traits or characteristics in the offspring.
The origins of the word "inbred" can be traced back to Middle English, where the term "inbreen" was used to describe animals that were breed inwardly or within a limited genetic stock.
