Heterosis的意思

"Heterosis" is a term used in genetics and breeding, particularly in the context of agriculture and animal husbandry, to describe the phenomenon where the offspring of two genetically different parents (often referred to as "heterozygous" or "hybrid" parents) exhibit superior traits compared to either parent. This phenomenon is also known as hybrid vigor or hybrid advantage.

When two individuals that are genetically diverse are crossed, their offspring may show increased size, vigor, resistance to disease, or other desirable characteristics. This can be particularly beneficial in crop production and livestock breeding, where the goal is to improve the health, productivity, and resilience of the offspring.

Heterosis is a complex trait that is not fully understood, but it is believed to be due to the combination of complementary genes from both parents, which may mask the negative effects of deleterious alleles. Inbreeding, on the other hand, can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity and an increased prevalence of harmful recessive alleles, which can result in reduced vigor and fitness in the offspring.

The concept of heterosis has been widely applied in plant breeding to develop hybrid crop varieties that are more productive and better adapted to various environmental conditions. Similarly, animal breeders use crossbreeding to take advantage of heterosis and produce livestock with improved growth rates, milk production, disease resistance, and other desirable traits.