Heterosis
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- Heterotic string theory is a field of physics.
Heterosis is increased strength of different characteristics in hybrids; the possibility to obtain a "better" individual by combining the virtues of its parents.
This is commonly known as hybrid vigor. It is an observable phenomenon in which a hybrid plant or animal may exhibit greater strength, health or faster rate of growth than its parents. The term often causes controversy, particularly in terms of domestic animals, because it is sometimes believed that all crossbred plants or animals are better than their parents; this is untrue. Rather, when a hybrid is seen to be superior to its parents, this is known as hybrid vigor. Heterosis is an example of heterozygous advantage.
It may also happen that a hybrid inherits and exhibits the worst qualities of each of its parents, or is inferior to each. Sterility is a common manifestation of this, as in a mule, a hybrid of a donkey and a horse that is always incapable of reproduction.
One study suggests that hybrid vigor may be associated with increased intelligence in humans. Nagoshi and Johnson (1986) found that children of Japanese-Caucasian cross-ethnic matings scored .26 SD higher on several cognitive tests than those from within-ethnic matings. The increase in scores tended to be higher on cognitive tests that were more g-loaded, suggesting that hybrid vigor improves g. Mingroni (2004) has argued that heterosis may be partially responsible for the Flynn effect.
See also
References
- HYBRID VIGOR IN PLANTS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO INSECT POLLINATION (http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/book/hybrid.html) - a section from Insect Pollination Of Cultivated Crop Plants by S.E. McGregor, USDA
- F1 Hybrids General Discussion (http://oregonstate.edu/dept/hort/233/index.htm) - professor's notes from a Oregon State University course
- Hybrids & Heirlooms (http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hortihints/0102a.html) - an article from University of Illinois Extension
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