Avkommor

Avkommor is a Swedish term used in biology to denote offspring or progeny—the individuals produced by one or more parents through reproduction. It applies across living organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, and can refer to a single offspring or to many, such as a litter, brood, or seed crop. The concept is central to studies of heredity, development and population dynamics.

In ecology and evolution, avkommor represent the next generation and are subject to natural selection and genetic drift. Traits are inherited from parents via genetic material, while variation arises through mutation, recombination, and environmental influence. The size and viability of avkommor influence the growth, structure and resilience of populations.

Terminology: avkommor is the plural form of avkomma, meaning offspring. The singular is avkomma, and the term is commonly used alongside related concepts such as descendants and lineage. In English, avkommor is translated as offspring or progeny, depending on context.

Applications: in zoology, botany, agriculture and aquaculture, tracking avkommor helps researchers understand heredity, breeding, and population genetics. Avkommor form the basis for pedigree analyses, breeding programs, and studies of life histories and evolutionary change.