Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
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.