Variation

Variation=

Differences between members of the same/different species

Mutation=

A change in DNA base sequence

Species=

A group of organisms that can reproduce with one another to produce fertile offspring

Variation in a species is caused by=

Inherited variation

Environmental variation

Combination

Inherited variation=

Differences between organisms caused by genes passed to offspring by their parents

Examples of inherited variation

Eye colour

Natural hair colour

Blood type

environmental variation=

Differences between organisms caused by the conditions in which they have developed

Examples of environmental variation

Accent

Language

Skills/sports

Combination=

Variation caused by the genome interacting with the environment. When the natural phenotype is affected by the environment

Examples of combination

Height

Weight

Variations can arise from mutations

Most have no effect on the phenotype

Some influence the phenotype

Very few determine the phenotype

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

It can lead to a relatively rapid change in the species