What was the main advantage of domesticating plants and animals?

Answer 1

Domestication (from Latin domesticus) is the process whereby a population of living organisms is changed at the genetic level, through generations of selective breeding, to accentuate traits that ultimately benefit humans. A usual by-product of domestication is the creation of a dependency in the domesticated organisms, so that they lose their ability to live in the wild.

This differs from taming in that a change in the phenotypical expression and genotype of the animal occurs, whereas taming is simply an environmental socialization/behavioral trait; the process by which animals become accustomed to human presence. In the Convention on Biological Diversity, a domesticated species is defined as a "species in which the evolutionary process has been influenced by humans to meet their needs."

Therefore, a defining characteristic of domestication is artificial selection by humans. Humans have brought these populations under their control and care for a wide range of reasons: to produce food or valuable commodities (such as wool, cotton, or silk) and for types of work (such as transportation, protection, warfare), scientific research, or simply to enjoy as companions or ornaments.

Plants domesticated primarily for aesthetic enjoyment in and around the home are usually called house plants or ornamentals, while those domesticated for large-scale food production are generally called crops. A distinction can be made between those domesticated plants that have been deliberately altered or selected for special desirable characteristics (see cultigen) and those plants that are used for human benefit, but are essentially no different from the wild populations of the species. Animals domesticated for home companionship are usually called pets, while those domesticated for food or work are called livestock or farm animals.

Answer 2

Mostly because we don't have to go out and get the plants also we are lazy, and for domesticating animals, some animals provide food( cows chickens pigs etc) but some were bred for work and transportation like horses and mule and some were domesticated for companions (dogs cats etc)

Answer 3

With learning to plant crops and have animal herds people were no longer nomads and could stay in one place. They began to create villages where they had more protection from enemies as a group, could trade with others, developed governments to meet their needs, built religious sites and practiced religion, created art, music, and social order. Without these developments our world today would not exist.

Answer 4

Domestication of plants and animals affected people because they could 'control' the plants and animals and the people could get food and supplies out of them.