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Breed - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

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A breed is a group of animals or plants within a species that have been selectively bred by humans to have specific inherited characteristics. These traits, such as size, colour, or behaviour, are passed from parents to offspring through genes. Breeds are developed through selective breeding, where individuals with desirable traits are chosen to reproduce, increasing the likelihood that their offspring will inherit those traits. For example, different dog breeds like Labradors and Poodles have been bred for particular features. Understanding what a breed is helps GCSE Biology students learn how humans influence the characteristics of organisms over time through artificial selection.

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Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

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