Mutations and 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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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 variation in biology?

Variation is the differences between individuals of the same species, such as height or eye colour.

What is genetic variation?

Genetic variation is caused by differences in the genes or alleles that individuals inherit from their parents.

Give one example of genetic variation in humans.

Eye colour is an example of genetic variation in humans.

What is environmental variation?

Environmental variation is caused by factors in a person’s surroundings, such as diet, climate or lifestyle.

Give one example of environmental variation in humans.

Body mass is an example of environmental variation, because it is affected by diet and exercise.

What is a mutation?

A mutation is a random change in the DNA of a cell, which can create a new allele.

Name two things that can increase the chance of mutations.

Ionising radiation and some chemicals, such as those in tobacco smoke, can increase the chance of mutations.

Are all mutations harmful?

No. Some mutations are harmful, some are neutral, and a few can be helpful to the organism.

What is continuous variation? Give one example.

Continuous variation shows a wide range of values with no clear groups, such as height or body mass.

What is discontinuous variation? Give one example.

Discontinuous variation has clear, separate groups with no values in between, such as blood group (A, B, AB or O).

How does sexual reproduction cause genetic variation?

Sexual reproduction mixes genes from two parents, so each offspring has a unique combination of alleles.

Why is variation important for a species?

Variation is important because it means some individuals may survive better when the environment changes.

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