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A4.1.3—Evidence from selective breeding

Selective breeding demonstrates that choosing parents with desired heritable traits can produce rapid, cumulative evolutionary change within domesticated populations over successive generations.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
A4.1.3
Level
HL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2023
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–3

Common command terms

  • Outline

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Calling selective breeding natural selection when the selecting agent is human choice.

Recent exam appearances

November 2023Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ214[ 1 ]A4.1.3—Evidence from selective breeding
May 2023Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ217[ 1 ]A4.1.3—Evidence from selective breeding
November 2017Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ06(c)[ 3 ]A4.1.3—Evidence from selective breeding
Practice this objective

Coverage 2017–2023 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Selective breeding is artificial selection for desired heritable traits.
  • Domesticated forms can differ greatly from their wild ancestors after repeated selection.
  • Breeding evidence shows that inherited traits can change rapidly in a population.
  • The process supports evolution because selection changes trait frequencies across generations.
ConceptIB Biology HL