Describe how scientists can use plant breeding programmes to produce maize plants with larger cobs.
- Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 3
Describe how scientists can use plant breeding programmes to produce maize plants with larger cobs.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe how scientists can use plant breeding programmes to produce maize plants with larger cobs.
- Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
Selection of individuals with favourable characteristics
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Scientists begin by selecting individuals with desirable characteristics, specifically those maize plants that produce the largest cobs. This selection ensures that only the best traits are passed on to the next generation.
Step 2
Cross breeding of selected individuals
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The selected maize plants are then cross bred. Scientists collect the seeds from these large-cobbed plants and plant them together, allowing for genetic mixing to occur, which introduces new traits.
Step 3
Selection of offspring and repetition of the process
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
After planting the seeds, scientists monitor the growth of the offspring. They select the ones with the largest cobs for further breeding. This process is repeated over multiple generations to enhance the size of the maize cobs consistently.
