What phenomenon suggests F1 crosses like the Yorkie Bichon may be healthier due to increased heterozygosity?
Answer
Hybrid vigor
Hybrid vigor, also known as heterosis, is a phenomenon frequently observed in first-generation (F1) crosses between two distinct gene pools, such as the Yorkie Bichon resulting from a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Bichon Frise. This advantage suggests that the mixing of these two lines can sometimes lead to offspring that are healthier or more robust than the average of their purebred parents. This benefit is attributed directly to the increased heterozygosity across numerous gene loci, meaning the offspring possess a greater variety of gene alleles compared to highly inbred purebred lines, which can unintentionally concentrate deleterious recessive genes.
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