Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cross a hybrid organism with one of its parent organisms: In genetics and breeding, "backcross" refers to the specific mating of a hybrid individual (the first-generation offspring of two different parent types) back to one of its original parent types or to an individual genetically identical to that parent.

Usage

• Verb:
  • The primary use is in scientific contexts, particularly genetics, plant breeding, and animal husbandry, to describe a controlled breeding technique.
  • It is typically used transitively (e.g., to backcross a plant) or intransitively (e.g., the hybrids were backcrossed).
  • The goal is often to transfer a specific trait from the hybrid into the genetic background of the recurrent parent.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Researchers will backcross the drought-resistant hybrid with the high-yield parent variety to stabilize the trait.
  • After the initial cross, the F1 generation was backcrossed to the paternal line for three successive generations.
  • The breeder decided to backcross to the original pollinator to recover its fruit quality.

Advanced Usage

• Backcrossing (Gerund/Noun): The process or technique of performing a backcross.
  • Several cycles of backcrossing are required to obtain a genetically stable line.
• Backcross Progeny/Generation: The offspring resulting from a backcross.
  • The backcross progeny were screened for the desired gene.

Variants and Related Words

• Backcross (Noun): The cross itself or an individual resulting from such a cross.
  • The plant used in the experiment was a backcross.
• Backcrossed (Adjective): Describing an organism that is the product of a backcross.
  • The backcrossed mice showed the expected genetic profile.

Synonyms

• Cross back: A less technical synonym.
• Recross with a parent: A descriptive phrase.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "backcross" is highly specialized and is almost exclusively used in the field of biology, specifically genetics and selective breeding. It does not have common everyday or figurative meanings.

Verb

1. mate a hybrid of the first generation with one of its parents