outbreeding

views updated May 18 2018

outbreeding Mating between unrelated or distantly related individuals of a species. Outbreeding populations usually show more variation than inbreeding ones and have a greater potential for adapting to environmental changes. Outbreeding increases the number of heterozygous individuals, so disadvantageous recessive characteristics tend to be masked by dominant alleles.

outbreeding

views updated May 14 2018

outbreeding The crossing of plants or animals that are not closely related genetically, in contrast to inbreeding, in which the individuals are closely related. See also CROSS-BREEDING.

outbreeding

views updated May 21 2018

outbreeding The crossing of plants or animals within a species which are not closely related genetically, in contrast to inbreeding, in which the individuals are closely related. See also cross-breeding.

outbreeding

views updated May 29 2018

outbreeding The crossing of plants or animals that are not closely related genetically, in contrast to inbreeding, in which the individuals are closely related. See also CROSS-BREEDING.

outbreeding

views updated May 23 2018

outbreeding (owt-breed-ing) n. the production of offspring by parents who are not closely related. Compare inbreeding.

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