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2.10 process information from secondary sources to describe an example of hybridisation within a species and explain the purpose of this hybridisation

process information from secondary sources to identify and describe an example of hybridisation within a species and explain the purpose of this hybridisation

Background

Hybridisation means the breeding of two different types of plants or animals. For example, a mule is the result of the union between a horse and a donkey, two different species. The resulting animal has desirable characteristics from both parents but all mules are sterile and cannot produce any offspring. Hybridisation also occurs between different varieties or breeds within a species, such as dog, cattle or sheep breeds. Many, probably most agricultural animals and plants are the result of hybridisation. This results in offspring with desirable characteristics e.g. cross breeding cattle to produce better meat or to be tick resistant and Triticale a grain that is a cross between wheat and rye, two different species. Hybridisation is a good way of producing new commercial plants and animals.