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5.2Use of Biological Resources

Selective breeding — Edexcel Modular - OL Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 7 parts Lesson 4 of 5 2 quizzes

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Lesson summary

Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology notes: understand how selective breeding can develop plants with desired characteristicsDarwin used pigeon breeding as evidence.Artificial selection shows traits are heritable.understand how selective breeding can develop plants …

  • Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology: what to do next
  • Domestication
  • Inbreeding
  • Convergent evolution
  • Wild mustard
  • Give / State / Name

Section 1 of 7Process & sequence

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Wild mustard
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Select large buds
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Broccoli / cauliflower
  • Wild wolf
  • Select tameness
  • Dogs
Risks
Low genetic diversity
Disease susceptibility
Inherited disorders

Section 2 of 7Keep going

Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology: what to do next

These Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology notes covered the key ideas, worked examples and exam technique for this topic. Check your Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology understanding with the practice questions below, then reread any Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology point you were unsure about before moving on.

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Practice: Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology practice questions
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Previous lesson: 5.1 Food production — Notes
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Next lesson: 5.3 Genetic modification (genetic engineering) — Notes
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Course: Edexcel Modular - OL — all units
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Official syllabus: Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs

Selective breeding Edexcel O Level Modular Biology revision notes

Section 3 of 7Compare

Artificial vs natural selection
FeatureArtificialNaturalSelectorSpeedExample
Who selectsHumansEnvironment———
GoalUseful traitsSurvival and reproduction———
SpeedFastUsually slow———
VariationOften reducedMaintained———
ExampleDog breeds, cropsFinches, moths———

Section 4 of 7Key terms

Section 5 of 7Syllabus checklist

Syllabus points
understand how selective breeding can develop plants with desired characteristics
understand how selective breeding can develop animals with desired characteristics

Section 6 of 7Command terms

Command terms
Give / State / Name
Recall a fact; one idea per mark.
Define
Give the exact meaning using the specification keywords.
Describe
Give an account of what happens / the pattern in data, quoting values; no reasons needed.
Explain
Give reasons with linked statements (cause → effect). Each linked step is usually a separate marking point.
Suggest
Use knowledge in a new context; more than one answer may be accepted.
Compare
Similarities and differences; each point must refer to both items.
Calculate
Show working; include units; check significant figures. Method marks are given even if the final answer is wrong.
Discuss
Explore the issue from different angles and link the points.
Evaluate / Assess
Weigh strengths and weaknesses and reach a supported judgement.
Deduce
Draw a conclusion from the information given.
Justify
Support a statement/choice with evidence.

Section 7 of 7Exam technique

Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson

Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Artificial selection · Selective breeding · Domestication · Inbreeding · Convergent evolution · Wild mustard
Learn each definition in the Key words tab exactly; a missing keyword in a definition usually loses the mark.

How to get full marks (examiner guidance)

How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
Use specification keywords exactly (e.g. eukaryotic/prokaryotic, enzyme–substrate complex, active site, complementary).
Link ideas
Link ideas for “explain” each marking point is usually a cause → consequence step; unlinked facts often score nothing.
Use the information in the question
“discuss/evaluate” answers must use the data provided and match the number of marks.
Convert units carefully (mg → g, cm³ → dm³) and show working for calculations.
Avoid vague words
“it”, “stuff”, “things”, “goes up”, “energy is made”. Name the substance and the process.
Do not extrapolate a graph line beyond the data or to zero unless asked.
Six-mark extended responses are marked on content AND a logical, linked line of reasoning.

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