INBREEDING Meaning and
Definition
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Inbreeding refers to the breeding of individuals that are closely related to each other, typically within a specific population or group. It is a process in which the mating partners share a significant amount of genetic material, often resulting in the reproduction of offspring that have a higher degree of genetic similarity than that seen in a normal outbred population.
In terms of genetics, inbreeding leads to an increase in homozygosity, as recessive traits are more likely to be expressed due to the lack of genetic variation. This can have detrimental effects on the health and viability of the offspring. Inbreeding can result in the expression of genetic disorders or predispositions, as well as reduced fertility or overall fitness.
Inbreeding is commonly practiced in animal breeding to establish and maintain specific traits or characteristics within a particular breed variety. However, excessive inbreeding can cause a reduction in genetic diversity and limit the adaptation of a population to changing environments. In contrast, some human societies historically practiced or continue to practice inbreeding due to social, cultural, or religious reasons.
In conclusion, inbreeding is the process of breeding closely related individuals within a population or group, resulting in increased genetic homozygosity and potential negative consequences on the overall health, fertility, and adaptability of the offspring.
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Breeding from animals of the same parentage or of the same near ancestry.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of INBREEDING
The word "inbreeding" has its roots in the Old English language. It combines the prefix "in-" which means "into" or "within" and the word "breeding". The term "breeding" in this context refers to the reproductive process or the act of selectively mating animals or plants to produce offspring with desired traits. Thus, "inbreeding" ultimately refers to the practice of breeding closely related individuals within a specific group or family. The term has been used since the 18th century in the context of animal husbandry and later expanded to describe similar practices in human populations.
Similar spelling words for INBREEDING
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