Hey Future Biologist! 🌟 Get ready to unlock the secrets of artificial selection, mutualism, and way more. Trust me, biology is way cooler than you think. Let's dig in!

What's the Deal?

Artificial selection is like Mother Nature’s Instagram filter but done by humans. We deliberately pick the traits we like in plants and animals and then breed them to bring those traits out!

Real-world Examples 🐮🌾

• Chickens and Junglefowl: Modern chickens are like the Kardashians of the bird world compared to their modest cousins, the junglefowls of Southern Asia.
• Belgian Blue Cattle and Aurochs: Belgian Blues are ripped! They’ve been bred for muscles unlike their lean ancestors, the Aurochs.
• Corn vs. Teosinte: Corn used to be this useless grass called teosinte. Now, it's a staple food because of our selection!

Quick Facts 📌

• Effectiveness: Super fast, compared to geological time.
• Does it Prove Evolution?: It shows traits can evolve, but doesn't confirm natural selection as the cause.

Mind-Blowing Math 🤯

• Teosinte Yield: 150kg/ha
• Modern Corn Yield: 4,100kg/ha
• Percentage Difference in Yield: (4100 - 150) / 150 x 100 = 2633% (!!!)

Factors Farmers Care About 🌾

• Resistance to Pests
• Drought Tolerance
• Nutritional Content

Why Improvement Slows Down 📉

You hit the genetic jackpot once, but doing it repeatedly is tough. You might even run into negative traits if you push too far.

Mutualism - The Win-Win 🐝🌺

Herbivory: Animals munch on plants but spread seeds in return. Pollination - Bees get nectar, flowers get to spread their pollen.

Intraspecific Shenanigans 🐺🐺

• Competition: Two wolves fight over a territory.
• Cooperation: A pack of wolves hunt together.