When scientists selected for tameness in a group of foxes, additional traits that were not specifically selected for, also became more common. among these traits were retention of some characteristics that were only observed in juveniles in the original population, but were also observed in adults in later generations.

the sugar-phosphate backbone forms the structural framework of nucleic acids, including dna and rna. this backbone is composed of alternating sugar and phosphate groups, and defines directionality of the molecule.

those characteristics are cellular organization, reproduction, metabolism, homeostasis, heredity, response to stimuli, growth and development, and adaptation through evolution. some things, such as a virus, demonstrate only a few of these characteristics and are, therefore, not alive

the last one: artificial selection/genetic engineering

plant breeding is modifying the genetic composition of the plant - but this isn't cloning (which is specifically introducing a gene into a genome). but you are artificially selecting for the phenotype that you want.

the second one is literally genetic engineering - the gene would have been cloned first and then inserted or genetically engineered into the new plant cell (the cotton).