Use captive breeding and protect genetic variation
Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation can support captive breeding; a shrinking population may lose genetic variation and become less resilient.
Mapped to the named 0654 section using teaching from the corresponding single-science course. A 0654-specific review of every Core and Supplement objective is still in progress. Written practice is self-checked; it does not demonstrate supervised laboratory competence or award an official Cambridge grade.
Before you begin
- Know that organisms interact with other organisms and their environment.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Where does fertilisation occur in IVF?
What you will learn
- Describe uses of artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation in captive breeding
- Explain risks when population decline reduces genetic variation
Support breeding when individuals do not mate naturally
Artificial insemination (AI) places sperm into the female reproductive tract without natural mating. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) brings egg and sperm together outside the body; an embryo can then be transferred to a female. Both can be used in captive-breeding programmes.
These methods can help bring together genetic material from selected individuals or support reproduction when natural mating is difficult. They do not by themselves solve habitat loss, disease, low numbers or poor release conditions.
Explain why low variation is a risk
When a population becomes small, some genetic variants may be lost and the remaining individuals may be more genetically similar. Lower genetic variation means fewer differences that could help some individuals survive a future disease or environmental change.
If conditions change, a population with little variation may be less likely to include individuals with traits that support survival and reproduction. This increases risk to the species. The syllabus does not require genetic drift, so explain the risk through reduced variation and resilience.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Why can low genetic variation put a species at risk?
Worked example
A captive-breeding programme uses IVF for a threatened mammal. The wild population is very small. Explain one reproductive use and one population risk.
Show the worked solution
- IVF brings egg and sperm together outside the body.
- Small populations can have reduced genetic variation.
Answer IVF can support breeding by bringing an egg and sperm together outside the body before embryo transfer. A very small population may have less genetic variation, making it less likely that some individuals can cope with a future disease or environmental change.
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Distinguish artificial insemination from IVF in a captive-breeding programme.
Give me a hint
State where sperm is placed or where egg and sperm meet.
Compare my reasoning
- AI places sperm into the female reproductive tract.
- IVF brings egg and sperm together outside the body before embryo transfer.
Artificial insemination places sperm into the female reproductive tract without natural mating. In vitro fertilisation brings egg and sperm together outside the body; an embryo may then be transferred to a female.
Look for these in your work
- AI described correctly
- IVF described correctly
Explain how a declining population can become less able to respond to a new disease.
Give me a hint
Connect small population size, genetic variation and survival.
Compare my reasoning
- A smaller population may lose genetic variants.
- If all individuals are similar, fewer may have traits that help them survive.
A declining population may have reduced genetic variation. If fewer individuals have a trait that helps resist the new disease, the population may be less able to survive and reproduce.
Look for these in your work
- Variation linked to population decline
- Disease response explained
A species has few individuals but a captive-breeding programme is successful. Why does conservation still need habitat protection and population monitoring?
Give me a hint
Breeding numbers alone do not address all threats.
Compare my reasoning
- A species still needs a suitable habitat after release.
- Monitoring checks whether numbers and variation remain viable.
Captive breeding can increase individuals but does not remove habitat destruction or other threats. Habitat protection supports survival after release, and monitoring helps check population trends and conservation outcomes.
Look for these in your work
- Breeding limitation recognized
- Protection and monitoring explained
Common mistakes
- Confusing AI with IVF
- Claiming assisted reproduction removes all conservation risks
- Invoking genetic drift as required syllabus knowledge
What can you explain now?
Where does fertilisation occur in IVF?
Compare with the explanation
Outside the body
IVF brings egg and sperm together outside the body.
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Make it stick
How do AI and IVF differ, and why can reduced genetic variation increase a species’ risk?
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