Types of Variation - Inheritance and Genetics

Key Concepts

• Variation: Differences between individuals of the same species due to genetic and environmental factors.
• Continuous Variation: Characterized by a range of possible values (e.g., height, weight). Represented using line graphs.
• Discontinuous Variation: Characterized by specific categories or groups (e.g., blood type, eye color). Represented using bar charts.

Types of Variation

Genetic Variation

• Differences inherited from parents.
• Examples: eye color, hair color, skin color.

Environmental Variation

• Differences caused by environmental factors.
• Examples: scars, tattoos.

Combined Variation

• Influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
• Examples: height, weight.

Continuous Variation

• Shows a wide range of values between two extremes.
• Suitable for characteristics that change gradually.
• Examples: height, arm span, weight.
• Represented using line graphs with a line of best fit.
• Often results in a bell-shaped normal distribution graph.

Discontinuous Variation

• Results in a limited number of possible values.
• Examples: blood group, eye color.
• Represented using bar charts without a line of best fit.

Analysing Variation

• Surveys: Collect data on variation through surveys.
• Continuous vs. Discontinuous: Data is categorized based on whether it varies continuously or in discrete categories.

Examples of Variation Types

Test Your Knowledge

• Survey of Discontinuous Variation: Involves measuring a characteristic in groups (e.g., blood group, eye color).
• Survey of Continuous Variation: Involves measuring characteristics with a range of values (e.g., height, weight).

Additional Resources

• Topics on inheritance, adaptations, and natural selection are available for further exploration.

Index of Variation Lecture