Question
What is inbreeding depression and how is it caused in organisms? Write any two advantages of inbreeding.
Solution
Inbreeding depression is the reduction in the fertility and productivity of an organism due to continuous inbreeding. Inbreeding is the mating of closely-related individuals within the same breed for 4-6 generations. Continued inbreeding, especially close inbreeding usually reduces the fertility and even productivity of the organism. Two advantages of inbreeding are:
(i) Superior quality of breed of organisms is obtained.
(ii) Pure lines can be developed.
