Environmental Variation Flashcards

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  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

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3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is environmental variation?

Differences in characteristics caused by surroundings, not by genes.

Give three environmental factors that can affect characteristics.

Diet, temperature, and light.

Give two examples of environmental variation in humans.

Skin tanning in sunlight and bigger muscles after training.

Give two examples of environmental variation in plants.

Plants in shade grow taller and paler; with little water they grow smaller.

What are acquired characteristics?

Traits gained from the environment, like scars; they are not inherited.

Are acquired characteristics passed on to offspring?

No. They are not passed on because they do not change genes.

Why are identical twins or clones useful for studying environmental variation?

They have the same genes, so any differences are due to the environment.

Does environmental variation usually give a wide range of values or a few set categories?

A wide range of values (continuous variation), such as body mass.

Which is caused only by the environment: blood group or a scar?

A scar. Blood group is genetic.

How can poor diet in childhood affect growth?

It can reduce growth, so the person may be shorter or lighter than expected.