ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Marker assisted selection

Marker assisted selection is a process that helps farmers or scientists select the best plants or animals to breed for certain desirable traits. It's like picking the best candies from a bowl without having to taste them all first.

To do this, scientists use tiny markers, like flags or stickers, that are placed on certain genes or DNA sequences. These markers are like little tags that make it easier to identify and track specific traits that the scientists are interested in.

Using these markers, scientists can identify which plants or animals have the traits they are looking for, like resistance to disease, faster growth, or bigger size. They can then use this information to choose which plants or animals to breed together to create even better crops or livestock.

Think of it like a puzzle where the markers are the pieces that help scientists figure out which plants or animals have the best traits. By using marker assisted selection, farmers and scientists can save time and money by breeding only the best plants and animals, ultimately helping to create a more sustainable and efficient food system.