13.1 Variation

Question 1

Variation def

Answer 1

Differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population

Question 2

What are the causes of variation between individuals

Answer 2

• the genes they have inherited (genetic causes)
• the conditions in which they have developed (environmental causes)
• a combination of genes and the environment

Question 3

Examples of differences that are as a result of both genetic and environmental variation

Answer 3

• hair and skin colour
• height and weight

Question 4

Is there a lot of genetic variation in a species

Answer 4

Yes, there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species

Question 5

Where do all variants come from

Answer 5

Mutations

Question 6

What effects do variants have on the phenotype

Answer 6

• most have no effect on the phenotype
• some influence the phenotype
• very few determine the phenotype

Question 7

When do mutations occur

Answer 7

Continuously

Question 8

What happens if the new phenotype is suited to an environmental change

Answer 8

It leads to a relatively rapid change in the species