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AP® Biology · Unit 7 · Topic 7.3

Artificial Selection: Topic Checklist (Biology 7.3)

Specific “I can…” statements for artificial selection, each linked to the guide section and practice question that shows whether you can really do it.

Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.

Understanding

  • I can define artificial selection and state the three conditions it needs: variation, heritability and differential reproduction. (Guide: “Humans as the selecting force”)
  • I can explain how artificial selection differs from natural selection, genetic engineering and non-heritable change. (Guide: comparison table; Practice Q1)
  • I can explain why breeders can only select from heritable variation that already exists, and name the sources of new variation. (Guide: “Humans as the selecting force”; Practice Q2)
  • I can explain why selection shifts the mean of a trait but reduces variation within the selected population, while increasing differences between breeds. (Guide: “What selection does to a population”; Figure 2)
  • I can give examples of species changed by artificial selection, such as the vegetables bred from wild cabbage. (Guide: “One wild plant, many vegetables”)

Skills

  • I can describe selection data from a table or graph, quoting specific values and describing trends. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q3, Q4)
  • I can calculate a change in mean, a percentage change and a change per generation. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q4)
  • I can read a frequency distribution and say how both its position and its spread changed. (Guide: Figure 2)

Reasoning

  • I can explain why an unselected control line is needed before a change is put down to selection. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q4)
  • I can explain why genetically uniform crops or herds are vulnerable to disease, and how breeders can restore variation. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q5)
  • I can explain why a selection response slows to a plateau, and why crossing with another population can restart it. (Practice Q2, Q7)
  • I can evaluate whether data show a genetic response to human-caused selection or a non-heritable effect of the environment. (Practice Q6)

All ticked? Move on to Topic 7.4, Population Genetics, or return to the course roadmap.

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