Skip to main content
outcrossing

outcrossing

8.2
Breeding animals or plants from different groups to increase gene variety
  • noun
  • /ˈaʊtˌkrɔsɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cruzamiento
  • Moreover, synchronous development of inflorescences within a crown, combined with asynchrony of flowering between individuals, ensures outcrossing and thus maintains high levels of heterozygosity (Nason et al. 1998).
  • outcrossing species

Examples

  • With outcrossing breeding systems, the movement of alleles between individuals and among populations is more likely than if inbreeding predominates.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The production of such unisexual gametophytes can increase the frequency of outcrossing (reviewed in Schneller et al. 1990).

    Academic text (2002)
  • There also appear to be both genetic and chemical mechanisms to promote outcrossing in homosporous species.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Perhaps because of the perceived simplicity of the pteridophyte systems, any sophistication that would promote outcrossing was considered unlikely.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Thus, as plant species become increasingly rare, they must either invest more in floral rewards or endure lower rates of outcrossing (Roubik 1993).

    Academic text (2005)
  • Production of a pheromone (antheridiogen) by gametophytes of some species may enhance the frequency of outcrossing.

    Academic text (2002)
  • All viable double mutant strains were verified by outcrossing to N2 and reisolation of each single mutant.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Excesses in heterozygote frequencies are expected in outcrossing species, while excesses in homozygote frequencies are considered characteristic of inbreeding species.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Moreover, the frequent coevolution of plants with host-specific pollinators diminishes the probability that an obligate outcrossing species will ever reproduce in a new habitat.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The practice of outcrossing can help plants adapt to changing environments by introducing new genetic material.

Synonyms

crossing
vsoutcrossing
  • Specialized
7 7.2

Breeding two different plants or animals to make a hybrid

covers breeding between groups but stresses diversity increase across populations
interbreeding
vsoutcrossing
4 6.2

Animals or plants from different groups produce mixed young

focuses on boosting genetic diversity across separate populations rather than general reproduction
hybridization
vsoutcrossing
  • Specialized
3 6.1

Breeding two different plants or animals to make offspring with mixed traits

emphasizes population-level mixing to increase genetic diversity rather than species focus
crossbreeding
vsoutcrossing
2 4.4

Mixing different kinds of animals or plants to make young with chosen traits

aims mainly at trait combination rather than primarily increasing genetic diversity
outbreeding
vsoutcrossing
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Mating animals or plants that are not closely related to make their genes more different

has identical meaning but is used as an alternative label
hybridizing
vsoutcrossing
  • Specialized
1 6.3

Crossing different plants or animals to make new kinds

focuses more on mixing across populations to boost genetic diversity not only species mixing
intercrossing
vsoutcrossing
  • Specialized
7.0

A process in which different breeds or groups mate to make hybrid young

emphasizes increasing diversity across populations rather than only creating hybrids
hybridism
vsoutcrossing
  • Specialized
7.2

A process of making something new by joining two different species or languages

places greater stress on mixing populations for diversity rather than hybrid formation
mongrelization
vsoutcrossing
9.1

Mixing different breeds to make animals or plants with mixed traits

focuses on intentional genetic diversity increase across groups not on impurity outcomes

How Diverse

hybridization
  • Specialized
3 6.1
outcrossing
  • Specialized
8.2
inbreeding
  • Specialized
12 6.9

Surface Forms

outcrossing singular
outcrossings plural

Morphology

outcrossing = outcross (transparent) = out + cross + ing

The verb 'outcross' (out- + cross) is clear, and adding '-ing' forms the gerund/noun meaning 'the act or practice of outcrossing'.

Etymology

Outcrossing combines out ('outside') and cross ('to mix' or 'breed'), so picture crossing your plants or animals with ones from outside your group. That's why outcrossing means breeding different groups together to bring in new genes and more variety.