BTEC National Animal Management Study Notes

Reasons for Breeding Animals

  • Food Production: Main reason; includes extensive (natural situations) and intensive farming (confined conditions).
  • Leisure and Sport: Companion animals (dogs, cats) and sport animals (horses, greyhounds).
  • Conservation: Breeding programs for endangered species (e.g., tigers).
  • Pet Trade: Companion and exotic animals are bred.
  • Economic Impact: Successful breeding increases food supply and trade quality.

Genetic Terms and Concepts

  • Genotype: All genetic information; includes alleles (variants of genes).
  • Phenotype: Physical and biochemical characteristics influenced by genotype and environment.
  • Homozygous vs Heterozygous: Homozygous has identical alleles; heterozygous has different alleles.
  • Dominance and Recessiveness: Dominant traits expressed with one allele present; recessive only if both alleles are recessive.

Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance

  • Monohybrid Crosses: Focus on one gene; predicts trait ratios.
  • Law of Segregation: Only one allele for each gene passes into a gamete.
  • Law of Independent Assortment: Alleles segregate independently during gamete formation.

Dihybrid Crosses

  • Dihybrid Inheritance: Examines two traits; uses a 9:3:3:1 ratio for unlinked genes.
  • Example: Genes for coat color and horns in cattle; predictions based on gamete combinations.

Gene Interactions

  • Incomplete Dominance: Heterozygous individuals have a different phenotype.
  • Codominance: Both alleles fully expressed.
  • Epistasis: One gene affects expression of another.

Sources of Variation

  • Variation influenced by genetic combinations (meiosis) and environmental factors.
  • Mutations: Changes in DNA; types include point mutations, insertions, deletions.

Breeding Practices

  • Positive/Negative Assortive Mating: Breeding for similar or different traits.
  • Selective Breeding: Human-directed mating for desired animal traits; impacts genetic diversity.

Regulatory Aspects

  • Animal Welfare Act 2006: Ensures animals' basic needs are met during breeding.
  • Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999: Regulates dog breeding practices.

Handling and Care During Breeding

  • Important techniques based on species specifics (e.g., pregnant animals, senior animals).
  • Pregnancy Diagnosis: Techniques include ultrasound and hormone testing.

Monitoring and Evaluating Health

  • Assessing animal health involves tooth condition, body scoring, and behaviour assessments.
  • Health concerns: Common congenital defects impact welfare.

Genetic Modification and Ethical Concerns

  • Transgenics and Gene Editing: Incorporation of genes from different organisms to enhance traits.
  • Regulation and Ethics: Impact on animal rights and potential environmental risks.