VARIATION

Variation refers to the differences that exist between

species. However, species also change in general over time.
Humans today are far taller and larger than humans were
in past. Some animals which existed in the past no longer
exist today. In this unit you will learn more about the
scientific reasons for variation and change.
WHAT IS VARIATION?
Within the same species, there are variations in skin color, hair
texture, eye color, shape of the face etc. This is called
variation.
Variation is differences seen (phenotypic differences) within
the same population.
WHAT CAUSES VARIATION?
Genetics
• Meiosis (crossing over and independent assortment)
• Sexual reproduction (fertilization
• Mutations (Sickle Cell Anemia and Down’s Syndrome)

Environment
• Nutrients
• Drugs
• Temperature
• Physical Training
Genetic Causes
Meiosis – pairs of chromosomes
exchange genetic material in crossing
over and chromosomes randomly line up
on equator and split from each other
producing non identical gametes
Sexual Reproduction – the fusion of
gametes in fertilization combines genetic
material from each parent in new ways is
random.
Mutations – these are random mistakes in
the replication of DNA slightly different
to the original.
Environmental Causes
Nutrients – the food we eat and the
minerals available to plants lead to
variation
Drugs – can cause deformities to children
Temperature-temperature affects enzyme
activity. Therefore warmer temperatures
encourages growth. Temperature can also
affect complexion and melanin
production.
Physical training- when you use muscle,
you increase size and power. Eg athletes
have stronger muscle
Continuous Variation
• Variation in characteristics that are spread
over a wide range of measurements.

Discontinuous Variation
• Variation in characteristics that do not
show a continuous trend. There is no
immediate forms.
CONTINUOUS VARIATION
DISCONTINUOUS VARIATION
LETS DO THIS!!!!!!
CONTINUOUS AND DISCONTINUOUS
VARIATION