Domestication
Definition
Domestication is the process by which humans alter wild species over generations by selecting traits beneficial for them, resulting in a change in behavior or physical characteristics.
Analogy
Imagine you're baking cookies from scratch. You choose specific ingredients (like chocolate chips instead of raisins) based on your preference. Over time, your recipe evolves based on what you like best - just as domesticated species have evolved based on traits humans found most useful or desirable.
Related terms
Selective Breeding: This is when humans intentionally breed plants or animals for certain traits.
Agricultural Revolution: A period in history when humans began to grow crops instead of solely relying on hunting and gathering.
Cultivation: The act of caring for or raising plants.
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