Domestication refers to the process by which humans selectively breed plants or animals over generations to develop traits that are beneficial for human use or companionship.
Related terms
Agriculture: Agriculture involves cultivating plants and rearing animals for food production. Domestication played a crucial role in the development of agriculture by allowing humans to control plant growth patterns and animal behavior.
Selective breeding: Selective breeding is when humans choose certain individuals with desirable traits to reproduce, resulting in offspring with those desired traits. It is a key method used in domestication.
Genetic modification: Genetic modification involves altering an organism's genetic material to introduce new traits or enhance existing ones. While domestication relies on selective breeding, genetic modification involves direct manipulation of genes.