Methods to Increase Heritability
Best way to increase heritability-
- Providing uniform environment — Correct Answer
- Increasing inbreeding
- Increasing homozygosity
- All the above
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Providing uniform environment
Heritability h² = VG / VP = VG / (VG + VE). The best and most direct way to increase h² is to reduce the denominator by providing a uniform environment — this shrinks VE while VG remains the same, thus increasing the ratio.
How Uniform Environment Increases h²
- h² = VG / (VG + VE)
- Uniform environment → VE decreases → denominator VP decreases → h² increases
- This makes phenotypic differences between animals more attributable to genetics → selection more accurate
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Increasing inbreeding: Inbreeding reduces VG (genetic variance) → reduces numerator AND denominator → h² actually declines with inbreeding
- Increasing homozygosity: Same effect as inbreeding — reduces VG → decreases h²; OPPOSITE of what is needed to increase h²
Summary
| Action | Effect on VE | Effect on h² |
|---|---|---|
| Provide uniform environment | Decreases | Increases |
| Inbreeding / Increasing homozygosity | No change | Decreases (VG reduces) |
📚 About this Topic — Animal Genetics & Breeding
This multiple choice question is from Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Genetics & Breeding to strengthen your preparation.
