What is the second generation crossbred resulting from mating an F-1 or first cross back to one of the parent breeds called?

• A. Backcross
• B. Reciprocal cross
• C. Three-way cross
• D. Linebreeding

Answer: (A)

Backcrossing is when you take a first-generation cross (an offspring from two pure breeds) and mate it back to one of those original parent breeds. The offspring from that mating are backcross progeny, which increases the amount of genetics from the chosen parent breed in the next generation while still carrying some genes from the other breed. This is a common way to introgress a desirable trait from one breed into the genetic background of the other. If you backcross again to the same parent, you’d get the next backcross generation (often called BC2).

Other terms describe different setups: a reciprocal cross involves crossing in the opposite direction to study maternal or sex-linked effects; a three-way cross adds a third breed into the mix; and linebreeding is a strategy to concentrate related genetics over time.