CHAPTER 6 : VARIATION

VARIATION
PHENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES AMONG THE
INDIVIDUALS OF A SPECIES

TYPES OF VARIATIONS

There are 2 types of variations :

a) continuous variation
b) discontinuous variation
Continuous variation is a type of
variation in which the differences in a
character are not distinct, but forms a
continuous range of intermediate
phenotype between two extremes.

Discontinuous variation is a type of

variation in which the differences in a
character can be divided into two or a few
types of distinct phenotypes, with no
intermediate characteristics.
Dimples

Ear Lobe

Hair

COMPARISON BETWEEN CONTINUOUS

VARIATION AND DISCONTINUOUS VARIATION

Similarities
Create varieties in the population of species.
Caused by environmental factors or genetic
factors or both.

Differences
Continuous
variation
A type of variation in
which the differences
in a character are not
distinctive
Height and weight

Aspect

Discontinuous
variation

Definition

A type of variation in
which the differences
in character are
distinctive

Examples

A, B, AB & O blood
groups

Have intermediate

Intermediate
characteristics

No intermediate

Quantitative
Can be measured

Quantitative or
qualitative

Qualitative
Cannot be measured

Influenced by
environmental factors

Environmental
factors

Is not influenced by
environmental factors

2 or more genes
control the same
character
Usually controlled by

Genes

Phenotype

A single gene
determines the
differences in the
traits of a character
Is controlled by a

Graph Distribution
No of individuals

No of individuals
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
traits
Shows a normal
distribution
(bell shaped)
Continuous
variation

traits
Shows a discrete
distribution
Discontinuous
variation

CAUSES OF VARIATION

Factors causing variation

a) Genetic factors
b) Environmental factors
c) Both genetic and environmental factors
Discontinuous variation can be
inherited and is caused by genetic factors
whereas continuous variation is caused
by either genetic or environmental factors
or both.

GENETIC VARIATIONS

In genetic variation, sexual reproduction

and mutation are two sources of variation.
Sexual reproduction
a) Involves the production and fertilisation
of gametes, results in genetic variations in
the offspring.
b) There are 3 sources of genetic variations
in sexual reproduction :
Crossing over during meiosis I
Independent assortment of
chromosomes
Random fertilisation

Crossing over during meiosis

a) During prophase I of meiosis, when two
homologous chromosomes are paired
up in a bivalent, crossing over occurs
between the chromatids
b) The exchange of genetic materials
between the chromatids result in new,
different genetic combinations result in
variations.

Independent assortment of chromosomes

a) At metaphase I of meiosis, the
homologous
pairs of chromosomes, each
consisting of one maternal and one paternal
chromosome, are
arranged on the
metaphase plate at random.
b) Each homologous pair of chromosome is
positioned relative to the poles of the cell
independent of the other pairs.
c) Hence, at the first meiotic division, there
is an independent assortment of maternal
and paternal chromosomes into daughter
cells. This results in a variety of gametes.

Random fertilisation
a) The random nature of fertilisation of
gametes from different parents is another
cause for genetic variations.
b) Gametes with diverse combination of
homologous chromosomes are fused
together to form a zygote with an even
greater variety of gene combinations.

MUTATION

Mutation is a sudden random change in the

genetic composition of a cell.
Can involve a single nucleotide pair or a
large region of a chromosome
Rarely occurs but if and it does, it is random
and spontaneous , and can lead to changes
in human characteristics
Permanent and irreversible
Can occur in somatic cells or in gametes

Can be caused by chemical or physical agents

(mutagens), mistakes that occur during DNA
replication and uneven distribution of
chromosomes during cell division

Drugs

Caffeine

Pesticides

There are 2 types of mutation :

a) Gene mutation
b) Chromosomal mutation
Gene mutation
a) Involves a chemical change in the
structure of gene
b) Can be due to the substitution, deletion or
insertion of a nucleotide base
c) It causes genetic diseases such as
sickle-cell anaemia, albinism and
haemophilia
Albinis
m

Chromosomal mutation
a) Involves changes in the structure of
chromosomes or number of chromosomes during
meiosis.
b) Can be due to deletion, duplication, inversion
and translocation during crossing over in meiosis
Deletion : A fragment of chromosome breaks
off and is lost
Duplication : A fragment of chromosome is
doubled or repeated . The new
chromosome has extra genetic
material.
Inversion : A fragment of chromosome is
removed. The fragment rotates through 180 o
Translocation : A fragment of chromosome
breaks
off and then attaches to another
chromosome

c) Changes in the number of chromosomes

occur when homologous chromosome fail
to separate during meiosis
d) There is either an addition or loss of
chromosomes in the gametes
e) Chromosomal mutation due to changes in
the number of chromosome causes
genetic diseases such as Downs
syndrome, Turners syndrome and
Klinefelters syndrome

Downs
syndrome

ENVIRONMETAL VARIATIONS

Continuous variation is greatly

influenced by the environment.
Environmental factors that cause
variations includes temperature,
light intensity, humidity, nutrition
and soil fertility.
Different environmental factors
give rise to different variations in
plants. For example, the
flowering plant Hydrangea sp.
produces blue flowers when the
soil is acidic but pink flowers
when the soil is alkaline.

BOTH GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

The traits of an organism are controlled by

alleles. Some traits are controlled by a
single pair of alleles and some by several
pairs of alleles.
The traits controlled by several pair of
alleles are influenced by the environment
resulting in continuous variation.
For example, a person may inherit a mixture
of tall and short genes, leading to average
height. However, this height is also affected
by the environmental factors like nutrition,
causing further change to height.

IMPORTANCE OF VARIATIONS IN THE SURVIVAL

OF A SPECIES

Provide the necessary adaptations for them

to survive in an ever changing environment.
Essential to the survival of species

RESPECTING OTHERS IN SPITE OF VARIATIONS

Each individual is unique because he or she

has a unique set of genes
Whatever differences may be, we still belong
to the same species
We have to accept these variations as part of
Gods creation and thank God that each one
of us is uniquely and differently made