In a population of pigs, the average body weight is 178 kg. Suppose you select the 15 largest pigs, whose average body weight is 205 kg, and interbreed them. The average body weight of the offspring of the selected pigs is 191 kg. If you were to select pigs that have an average weight of 240 kg, what would be the predicted weight of the progeny produced by the selected pigs?
A) 30
B) 62
C) 115
D) 208
E) 270

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The predicted weight of the progeny can be calculated using the breeder's equation: R = h^2 * S, where R is the response to selection, h^2 is the heritability, and S is the selection differential. From the given data, h^2 can be estimated as (191 - 178) / (205 - 178) = 0.481. For pigs with an average weight of 240 kg, S = 240 - 178 = 62. Thus, R = 0.481 * 62 = 29.822. The predicted weight of the progeny is 178 + 29.822 = 207.822, approximately 208 kg.

In a Population of Pigs, the Average Body Weight Is